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THE 



ADVENTURES 



OF 



EBENEZER FOX, 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 

ILLUSTRATED BY 

Btt,IS(SAMf lSJFIimA¥II|J©S 



FKOM 



ORIGINAL DESIGNS. 



B O S T ]sr' —^ 

PUBLISHED BY CHARLES FOX 



\ 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S3<S, by 

CHARLES FOX, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of 

Massachusetts. 



Salem, March 5th, 1847. 
Dear Sir : 

Allow me to thank you for the little volume you had 
the kindness to send to me, containing an account of 
the adventures of your father during the war of the 
Revolution. The singular character of the adventures 
themselves, and the spirited manner in which they are 
described, give the work a very lively interest. The 
narrative presents, in a striking light, some of the re- 
markable incidents of the war, and particularly the suf- 
ferings on board the Old Jersey Prison-Ship. Such 
narratives are doubly valuable, as exhibiting events of 
history at the same time they make us acquainted with 
the personal experience of the actors. It gives me 
pleasure to be able to add this little book to my library. 

Accept the regards and thanks of 

Yours, respectfully, 

JARED SPARKS 
Charles Fox, Esq. 



PREFACE. 



«* Grandfather," said my eldest grandchild, 
fast Thanksgiving eve, " I wish you would relate 
to us all your revolutionary stories. You have 
told us a great many stories, but we wish very 
much to hear the whole at once." 

In this request the second joined, who was 
soon followed by the third, while the fourth 
caught me by the hand, saying, " Do, grandpa, 
tell us something about the war." " O yes, do, 
grandpa," said the fifth ; while the next, a little 
boy of three, jumped up on my knee, and lisped 
out his request that I would tell a story ; and the 
baby, making her way into the circle, added to 
the clamor with the most articulate sounds she 
could utter; and then all seven joined in one 
grand chorus, though not in unison, and the bur- 
den of the song was, " Do tell us your revolu- 
tionary adventures." 

Now I love nothing better than giving pleasure 



IV PREFACE. 

to children ; and, although this vfas lather a 
comprehensive request, I at length consented to 
give them a connected recital of the adventures 
of my youth, during a time when everything 
was interesting to those who love excitement 
and action. 

Accordingly, when the young folks had tired 
themselves with " blind-man's-buff" and various 
other games, with which I am not acquainted, 
they formed a circle round the fire and called on 
me for the fulfilment of my promise. 

But to their great disappointment, I soon found 
that a troublesome cough, which I had in the 
winter, effectually prevented my giving them 
anything like the connected narrative they were 
so desirous to hear. 

They all expressed so much regret at being 
deprived of their anticipated pleasure, and it 
seemed so unlikely that I should be any belter 
able to gratify them, that I at length concluded 
to commit my adventures to writing, and give the 
manuscript to one of my grandchildren to read 
to the others. 

This decision met with general approbation 
and I commenced my task. 

Though I am an old man of seventy-five, I am 
an earlier riser than most of my grandchildren, 



:il£Mi£^ 



PREFACE. 7 

and was generally up an hour or two before sun- 
rise in the winter, and used to tell them at break- 
fast that I had written several pages before they 
were awake. 

As I had nothing to interrupt me, and the 
reminiscences of my younger days proved very 
interesting to myself, I was able to recollect much 
more than I expected I should ; for the events 
which occur in our youth, especially such as it 
has been my lot to participate in, make a much 
more lasting impression on our minds than those 
of a later period, when we have become more 
accustomed to the vicissitudes of life. 

One circumstance after another revived in my 
memory, and was detailed on paper, — until 1 
found that my manuscript had increased to a 
much larger size than I, or those for whose 
Dleasure it was written, had anticipated. 

At last, to their great delight, it was completed ; 
-md was received with so much approbation by 
ifie young auditors, that it was thought it might 
oe interesting to maturer minds ; and it was lent 
10 several friends, who expressed so favorable an 
opinion of it, and were so desirous that I should 
i^ive the public an account of my revolutionary 
adventures, that I have consented to prepare for 
^e press the manuscript originally intended for 
1# 



VI PREFACE. 

ray own family, with the hope that it may prove 
as interesting to the rising generation, as it has 
to my own grandchildren. 

Should it be thought that my simple narrative 
does not contain matter of importance sufficient 
to interest the reader, I can only say, that the 
partial judgment of friends, and my belief that 
any circumstances relating to the most interesting 
period of our history, would prove entertaining 
to the young, mitst be my excuse for presenting 
it to the public 



REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



OP 



EBENEZER FOX. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The year 1763, iii which I was born, was 
signalized by the conclusion of the treaty of 
peace between England and France, at the 
termination of the long and harassing war, 
known as the '' Old French War." 

The colonies had borne the foremost part 
in the conflict, with very slight assistance 
from the mother country ; and as their men 
and money had been freely contributed, and 
every demand of the Enghsh government 
promptly complied with, the close of the 
war found the colonies in a state of great 
depression, impoverished and dispirited. 



9 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Throughout the country, hardly a town 
could be found, which had not sent out its 
little band of warriors, or aided in defraying 
the expenses of the soldiers, and many had 
bst relatives or friends in the prolonged 
contest; while those who returned to their 
homes were, many of them, sick and enfee- 
bled from the exposure and hardships which 
they had encountered. 

It would have seemed but just and rea- 
sonable, that the scarcity of money and the 
condition of business should have exempted 
^he colonies from the additional burden of 
taxation. 

But such was not the opinion of the Brit- 
ish ministry. Although the colonies had 
jntil this period been permitted to tax them- 
selves, without the interference of England, 
Parliament now, with an apparent 'deter- 
nination to reduce them to the lowest con- 
iition of servitude, passed an act in 1764, 
Arhich imposed a duty on several articles, 
f.nd the preamble to which Was in these 
t^^ords : 

^' Whereas it is just and necessary, that a 
.©venue be raised in America, for defraying 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 9 

the expenses of defending^ 'protecting^ and 
securing the same, we, the commons/' &c. 
&c. 

The colonies considered this act extremely 
unjust and arbitrary ; but, while they would 
not admit the right to tax them, it was sub* 
mitted to, though not in silence. 

The patience of the colonists, and their 
respect for their own rights, were insulted 
in the following year by the passage of the 
famous stamp act, which effectually aroused 
the spirit of liberty in every American 
bosom, and excited so universal a storm of 
indignation throughout the country, that 
the English parliament felt obliged to re- 
peal it. 

The satisfaction of the colonies was of 
short duration; for, in 1767, an act was 
passed, imposing heavy duties on glass, 
paper, tea, &c., and was followed by seve- 
ral equally vexatious, and the dissatisfaction 
of the people was renewed ; meetings were 
called in various parts of the country, and 
resolutions passed against the measures of 
the British government. 

Among many other insults against the feel- 



10 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES ' 

ings of the people, the stationing of garrisons 
in New York and Boston was particularly 
obnoxious; and in the former city, the 
house of assembly was suspended by the 
governor, for refusing to pass a bill supply- 
ing the soldiers with provisions, (fee. 

In 1768, the arrival of two regiments of 
British soldiers in Boston, which were sta- 
tioned in the State- House, in consequence 
of the inhabitants refusing to furnish quar- 
ters for them, excited the most intense ha- 
tred and resentment against the tyranny 
and oppression of government, and was an 
insult to the house of their public assembly 
which could not be tolerated. 

The assembly, considering the peace and 
dignity of their house violated by the pres- 
ence of British troops, refused to hold their 
council, unless the soldiers were removed. 

The governor therefore adjourned them 
to Cambridge, and demanded a supply of 
money for the troops, Avhich was of course 
refused, as derogatory to the dignity of the 
Province. 

In 1769, parliament, as if resolved to try 
every sort of insult, in an address to the king, 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 11 

reqiested him to give orders to the governor 
of Massachusetts, — which had shown a 
more determined spirit of resistance than 
any other colony, — to send all who might 
be guilty of treason to England, that they 
might be tried there. 

The house of burgesses of Virginia met 
soon after, and passed a resolution, " deny- 
ing the right of his majesty to remove an 
offender out of the country for trial." The 
next day the governor dissolved the house. 
The assembly of North Carolina followed 
the example, and were likewise dissolved 
by their governor. 

In 1770, on the fifth of March, a violent 
tumult, produced by an affray between the 
soldiers and citizens, in which several of the 
latter were killed, still more enraged the 
people against these instruments of arbi- 
trary power; and the anniversary of this 
outrage was for several years commemo- 
rated by addresses to the public, which 
served to keep/ awake the spirit of inde- 
pendence. 

The detested duty on tea was imposed in 
1773, and no American can forget how it 
was received^ particularly in Boston. 



"4 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

111 the same year England, desirous to 
crush the spirit of rebellion, as it was 
termed, decreed that all public officers 
should be rendered independent of the colo- 
nies, by receiving their salaries directly 
from the crown, without the concurrence of 
the colonial assemblies. 

This measure, tending as it did to de- 
prive the Americans of all their rights and 
to reduce them to mere bondsmen, increased 
instead of subduing the determination to 
secure the liberty of the country. 

Regular clubs were formed, each headed 
by a chief, in all the principal towns of 
Massachusetts, with a system of correspon- 
dence between them ; and it became evident 
to all, that a conflict must soon take place 
between England and her wronged and 
insulted colonies. The other provinces fol- 
lowed the example of Massachusetts, and 
similar associations were formed throughout 
the country. . 

in retaliation for this, and similar mani- 
festations of the determination to resist the 
British government, the " Boston Port Bill' 
was brought forward in parliament and 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 13 

pissed as a jnst punishment to that rebel- 
lious city, which had been foremost in re- 
bellion. 

In September, 1774, the first congress 
was convened, consisting of deputies from 
eleven of the colonies. 

This assembly agreed upon a declaration 
of their rights ; passed many important and 
spirited resolutions ; and, having finished 
their business in less than eight weeks, dis- 
solved themselves, recommending another 
congress to be convened on the tenth of 
May ensuing. 

No one, who is at all acquainted with 
the history of our country, needs to be re- 
minded of the events which followed in the 
next year, the memorable 1775, which 
dates the commencement of our Revolution. 

An account of the action at Lexington 
was transmitted to Great Britain by the 
provincial Congress of Massachusetts, which 
was then in session, and in conclusion they 
used this language : 

"Appealing to Heaven for the justice of 
our cause, we determine to die, or be free." 

The battle at Lexington was followed in 



14 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

rapid succession by the taking of Ticonde- 
roga and Crown Point, and the Battle of 
Bunker'' s Hill^ which taught England that 
it would be no easy task to repress, or re- 
sist, the spirit of liberty which animated 
the heart of every American. 

From this time, the rebels^ as they were 
termed in England, daunted by no obstacle 
and discouraged by no dangers, went stead- 
ily forward in the great contest, which re- 
sulted in forcing our insolent oppressors to 
admit that Americans coukl not he con- 
quered ; and obliging Great Britain to ac- 
knowledge, and respect, the independence 
of the people she had wantonly insulted 
and despised. 

From this rapid sketch of the period im- 
mediately preceding our Revolution, the 
facts of which are no doubt familiar to 
every reader of American history, it will be 
seen, that my childhood was passed in the 
midst of excitement, and every year was 
marked by events of the most intense and 
absorbing interest. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 15 



CHAPTER I 



1 WAS born in the East Parish of Rox- 
bury, state of Massachusetts, January 30th, 
1763. 

Nothing out of the ordinary course of 
human events occurred, of which I have 
any recollection, until I arrived to the age 
of seven. 

My fathjer, who was a tailor, being poor 
and having a large family, thought that my 
physical powers were adequate, at this time 
of hfe, to my own maintenance ; and placed 
me under the care of a farmer named Pel- 
ham. The house in which that gentleman 
resided was situated in what was then 
called Roxbury Street.* 

* Mr. Pelham's house stood upon the spot now occupied 
by the store of Deacon Caleb Parker, and his farm was the 
land near the Creek, belonging to the heirs of the late Rev. 
Dr. Porter. 

One day, while employed in the field, I left my work, bemg 
alone, to try my skill at riding on horseback; and, while 
attempting to put on the bridle, the horse suddenly bit a 
piece of flesh from my cheek, the scar of which is evident to 
this day. 



1<5 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

With him I continued five years, per- 
forming such services in the house and 
upon the farm as were adapted to my age 
and strength. I imagined, however, that I 
suffered many privations and endured much 
hardship; which was undoubtedly true, 
were my situation compared with that of 
many other boys of my age at that time, or 
m this more refined period. Boys are apt 
to complain of their lot, especially when 
deprived of the indulgences of home. They 
do not estimate their advantages or disad- 
vantages by comparison ; but view them in 
the abstract, and judge their circumstances 
as the results of positive evil, when they 
might be considered as comparative bless- 
ings. 

I had for some time been dissatisfied with 
my situation, and was desirous of some 
change. I had made frequent complaints 
of a grievous nature to my father ; but he 
paid no attention to them, supposing that I 
had no just cause for them, and that they 
arose merely from a spirit of discontent 
which would soon subside. 

Expressions of exasperated feeling against 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 17 

the government of Great Britain, which 
had for a long time been indulged and 
pretty freely expressed, were now continu- 
ally heard from the mouths of all classes ; 
from father and son, from mother and 
daughter, from master and slave. A spirit 
of disaffection pervaded the land ; groans 
and complaints, and injustice and wrongs 
were heard on all sides. Violence and 
tumult soon followed. 

Almost all the conversation that came to 
my ears related to the injustice of England 
and the tyranny of government. 

It is perfectly natural that the spirit 
of insubordination, that prevailed, should 
spread among the younger members of the 
community; that they, who were continu- 
ally hearing complaints, should themselves 
become complainants. I, and other boys sit- 
uated similarly to myself, thgught we had 
wrongs to be redressed ; rights to be main- 
tained ; and, as no one appeared disposed 
to act the part of a redresser, it was our 
duty and our privilege to assert our own 
rights. We made a direct application of 
the doctrines we daily heard, in relation to 
2* 



18 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the oppression of the mother country, to our 
own circumstances; and thought that we 
were more oppressed than our fathers were. 
I thought that I was doing myself great 
injustice by remaining in bondage, when I 
ought to go free ; and that the time was 
come, when I should liberate myself from 
the thraldom of others, aud set up a govern- 
ment of my own ; or, in other words, do 
what was right in the sight of my own 
eyes. 

In all great undertakings a friend is 
needed, with Avhom we can advise and 
consult. Men experience this want, and 
seldom is any remarkable achievement ef- 
fected alone and unaided. I felt the neces- 
sity of acting in unison with some one, who 
should be actuated by the same motives as 
myself, and have a similar object in view. 

I sought a friend, and found one in a 
companion with whom I had long associ- 
ated, John Kelley, who was a little older 
than myself. To him I imparted my views 
and wishes in regard to future operations. 

We held many consultations in secret, 
and, mutual confidence being established. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 19 

we came to the sage conclusion, that we 
were Hving in a state of servitude that 
ought to be scorned by the sons of freemen. 

In our opinion we were abundantly capa- 
ble of providing for our own wants ; of as- 
suming all the responsibilities of life ; and 
needed no protectors. 

Our plan was soon formed, which was 
nothing less than to furnish ourselves with 
whatever we thought indispensable for our 
undertaking, to leave home privately, and 
take the most direct route to Providence, 
R. L, where we expected to find employ- 
ment as sailors on board of some vessel. 

Our greatest trouble was to raise the 
means for the expedition. Having col- 
lected Avhat few articles we possessed and 
securing them in two small bundles, we 
secreted them in a barn at some distance 
from our habitation. 

The place for our meeting was the steps 
of the church, which stood where the Rev. 
Mr. Putnam's now stands.* According to 

* The Rev. Mr. Adams was the pastor then. Deacon 
Crafts, grandfather of Mr. E. Crafts of Roxbury, used to 
read aloud one verse at a time of the psalm or hymn, which 
the choir would sing, and then wait till he had read another 



20 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTIRES 

appointment, I found my friend Kelley on 
the spot at eight o'clock in the evening on 
the eighteenth of April, the night before the 
memorable battle of Lexington. 

Kelley' s first question to me was, " How 
much money have you got 7" I replied, 
'^ A half a dollar." ''That is just v/hat 1 
have got," said Kelley, "though I might 
have taken as much as I wanted from the 
old tory; but I thought I would not take 
any more than what belonged to me." 

I know not whether this proceeded from 
Kelley' s principle of honesty, or from a fear 
of pursuit, in case he had embezzled any- 
thing which would render him an object 

Hymn-books were not in general use ; ihey were, some 
time after, in the pews of the wealthy part of the congrega- 
tion. At a subsequent period, a kind of music, called Fugue- 
ing tunes, was introduced; and they had a literally /u;§-ue- 
ing- effect upon the elder people, the greater part of whom 
went out of church as soon as the first verse was sung. 

I very well remember the first Sabbath that the first bass- 
viol was used, as an accompaniment to the singing. The 
old pious people were horror-struck at what they considered 
a sacrilegious innovation, and went out of meeting in high 
dudgeon. One old church member, I recollect, stood at the 
church-door, and showed his contempt for the music by mak- 
ing a sort of caterwauling noise, which he called " mocking 
the Banjo." 



O^ EBENEZER FOX. 2% 

worth pursuing. Kelley had lived with a 
gentleman named Winslow, who was highly 
esteemed for his benevolence and other vir- 
tues ; but, being a friend to the royal gov- 
ernment, he was stigmatized with the epi- 
thet of " Tory," and considered an enemy 
to his country, and was finally obliged to 
leave the place when the British troops 
evacuated Boston. After spending some 
time in making arrangements, we started 
about nine o'clock at night, and travelled 
till we arrived at Jamaica Plain and stopped 
on the door-steps of the Rev. Dr. Gordon's* 
church to rest ourselves and hold a consul- 
tation. 

We concluded to continue on our route, 
and directed our course to Dedham, where 
we arrived shortly after ten the same night. 

As I have observed, this was on the 
night previous to the battle of Lexington. 
At that time, much excitement prevailed in 
the public mind. Great anxiety was mani- 
fested in the country in the vicinity of Bos- 
ton to know what was going on there. 
People were out in all directions to hear 

* Till witliiii a few years the Rev. Dr. Gray's. 



22 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the "news from town." As we were too 
young to be very well informed in regard to 
coming events, and were ignorant of the 
great plans in agitation, our fears induced 
us to think that the uncommon commotion 
that appeared to prevail must have some 
connexion with our escape, and that the 
moving multitudes we saw were in pursuit 
of us. Our consciences reproved us a little 
for the step we had taken, and our fears 
magnified the dangers to which we were 
exposed. 

After making some cautious ii^quiries at 
Dedham, we directed our course to Wal- 
pole with the intention of reaching it that 
night. 

About eleven o'clock, finding ourselves 
excessively fatigued, we determined upon 
taking up our night's lodging on the ground 
by the side of a stone wall. 

With feelings of despondence I stretched 
myself upon the earth, with my bundle for 
a pillow, and observed to my companion, 
"This is hard lodging, Kelley, but we may 
have harder;" little anticipating the hard- 
ship and suffering I was to endure in some 








w s 



^ 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 23 

succeeding years. After a cold and uncom- 
fortable night's rest, we started before day, 
and reached Walpole about ten o'clock in 
the morning. 

Before we entered the village, we stopped 
at a tavern and called for a bowl of bread 
and milk, the price of which was three 
pence; but the kind-hearted landlord re- 
fused to take any compensation. We now 
were constantly meeting with people, who, 
anxious to hear the news from Boston, fre- 
quently interrogated us respecting whence 
we came and whither we were going, &c. ; 
in answering which we adhered as nearly 
10 the truth as our fears of discovery would 
permit. 

We stopped at Mann's tavern in Wal- 
pole, and here a multitude of peopl-e col- 
lected, having apparently some great object 
in agitation. Being seen coming in the 
direction from Boston, we were again as- 
sailed with more questions than we knew 
how to answer consistently with our safety. 
The tavern-keeper excited our apprehen- 
sions by abruptly asking us whither we 
were going? 



24 BETOLUnONAEY AirVE?rrFEES 

**To seek our fortunes.** we replied. 

"You have taken hard times for it," and 
he advised us to return home. 

During this conversation, the stage coach 
from Boston arrived at the tavern, where 
the passengers were to dine. They brought 
the news of the Lexington battle, with an 
exaggerated account of a loss on the side 
of the British of two hundred men. and on 
that of the American of only thirty. This 
was received with loud shouts of exulta- 
tion, while the militia marched off full of 
ardor and zeal.* 

By this time, my companion and myself 
felt the need of some refreshment ; but our 
funds would not permit us to indulge our 
appetites with the luxury of a dinner ; we 
therefore contented ourselves with a simple 
luncheon. 

Tued of walking, our next object was to 

* The exaggerated aceoant ^ the battk of Lexington mnst 
'Itare been merely of that part of it Trhich happmetl ^y>atf. 
sanrise, the fiiiof of ttK British upon the militia assemti^ 
Bjxm the green near the meeting-honse. 

The sidneqnent fig*»*^«'"5 at Lexingtcm was too late in th« 
iaj, fiv the passengers in the stage to gire any inforraac?* 
at tfas time thej airired at Walpde. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 85 

drive a bargain with the coachman for a 
ride to Providence. The price demanded 
was one and sixpence for each of us, and 
that upon condition that one should ride 
with the coachman and the other on the 
baggage. 

The coachman's seat to stage-coaches in 
those days was not the comfortable place 
which it now is; and the baggage used to 
be fastened directly upon the hind axle-tree. 
Racks and such-like conveniences are the 
improvements of modern times. To sit 
upon tlie baggage, then, could not be con- 
sidered a great privilege, and it required not 
a little exertion to keep one's position. Foi; 
such accommodations one and sixpence each 
we considered an exorbitant price; and, 
after a great deal of Jiaggliug, a bargain was 
made to carry us both for two and eight- 
pence. We left Walpole about one o'clock, 
and arrived in Providence about sunset. 

Any one, who has experienced the forlorrt 
and destitute feelings that arise in the mind 
when he feels himself alone in a strange 
city may easily imagine what ours were at 
this time. The moving multitudes were 
3 



26 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

returning to their homes, after their daily 
occupations weie over, to meet their fam- 
ihes and theii friends and to spend the 
quiet night. Bat we, two poor boys, had 
no home to receive us, no friends to wel- 
come us. 

SoUtary and desolate, we felt as it were 
'' strangers in a strange land." We wan- 
dered about the streets, without seeing or 
expecting to see any one who would afford 
us any assistance, or sympathize in our dis- 
tress. Hungry and weary, with but thirty 
coppers in our pockets, it would be, we 
thought, unjustifiable extravagance to in- 
dulge our appetites v/ith the luxuries which 
a tavern might afford; we accordingly, 
seated upon the steps of a church, attempted 
to appease the cravings of hunger upon 
some provisions in our bundles, with which 
we had the precaution to provide ourselves 
before leaving Roxbury. Having finishe^i 
our scanty meal, we found night approach- 
ing, and that it was necessary to obtain 
lodgings somewhere at a small expense. 

Our design in coming to Providence natu- 
rally led us to the part of the town where 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 27 

the shipping lay. We found a vessel at a 
wharf, which appeared to have no person 
on board. We went on to her deck, and, 
finding the cabin doors open, entered, took 
possession of two vacant berths, in which 
we skpt soundly till morning, when we left 
the vessel without meeting with any person 
belonging to her. 

We strolled about the town with spirits 
consif\erably depressed, and breakfasted 
upon what remained of the cold food on 
which we had supped the night previous. 

I and my companion then thought it best 
TO rjeparate, for the purpose of seeking em- 
ployment, in different directions; and we 
parted without thinking to fix upon any 
time or place for a subsequent meeting. I 
have since ascertained, that Kelley found 
employment on board of a vessel, and went 
to sea. What was his fate I know not; for 
after that day I never saw him, nor to the 
present time have I ever heard any more 
respecting him than what I have related. 
Should he meet with these pages, he is 
informed that I reside in the town from 
which we absconded sixty-three years agot 



♦ 



28 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

He would find me altered in the appearance 
I presented to him in our last interview. 
But probably he has long since gone to that 
world ''from whose bourne no traveller 
returns," and to which my age and infirmi- 
ties admonish me that I must soon repair. 

In the course of my perambulations I 
went into the market-house, and while 
there I saw a gentleman who was addressed 
by the name of Curtis. He was habited 
according to the fashion of gentlemen in 
those days ; a three-cornered hat, a club 
wig, a long coat of ample dimensions that 
appeared to have been made with reference 
to future growth ; breeches with large 
buckles, and shoes fastened in the same 
manner, completed his dress. 

His face appeared familiar to me, and, 
feeling some interest in him, I was induced 
to make some inquiries respecting him, and 
found that his christian name was Oba- 
diah; and that he had lately removed to 
Providence from Boston. With this gentle- 
man an aunt of mine, a sister of my mother, 
had lived in Boston, and I thought it proba- 
ble that she might have removed to Provi^ . 
dence with his family. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 29 

With this impression I followed Mr. Cur- 
tis to his house, and to my great joy found 
my aunt. She expressed some surprise at 
seeing me so far from home ; and I had to 
exercise not a little art, and to depart not a 
little from the truth, to account for my un- 
expected visit. My aunt, however, extracted, 
enough from the answers to her many ques- 
tions to satisfy herself that I had left home 
without the knowledge of my parents. 
After satisfying my appetite with an abun- 
dance of good things, to which I had been 
some days a stranger, she endeavored to 
persuade me to give up my project of going 
to sea, and to return to Roxbury. This I 
obstinately refused, and finding it useless to 
remonstrate with me any more, she dropped 
the subject, after warning me of many evils 
which might ensue if I persisted in my un- 
dertaking. To this good woman was I 
indebted for sustenance while I remained in 
Providence, and for many articles of cloth- 
ing, of which I was in great need, 
3* 



30 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



CHAPTER II. 

After seeking for a situation on board of 
some vessel for several days, I at length 
found one in the service of Capt. Joseph 
Manchester, who was in the employ of 
Nathaniel Angier. I shipped in the capac- 
ity of cabin boy, for a compensation of 
twenty-one shillings per month, to go to 
Cape Frangois in the island of St. Domingo. 
The wages of the sailors were forty-two 
shillings per month. 

By the assistance of my good aunt, in a 
few days I was tolerably well equipped for 
the voyage. The vessel was hauled off into 
the stream, and shortly after we sailed for 
our destined port. This being the first time 
( ever was at sea, I experienced a consider- 
able amount of that mental and bodily pros- 
tration called "sea-sickness;" but in a few 
days I became accustomed to the motion of 
the vessel, and recovered my usual health 
and spirits. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 31 

Being what is termed a " green hand," I 
had everything to learn that belonged to my 
duties ; and of course made some blunders, 
for which I received more curses than 
thanks. 

Among other misfortunes, I unluckily 
placed a large pot of butter in the larboard 
locker, without the precaution to fasten it in 
its place. It rolled out in the course of the 
night, and the fragments of the pot together 
with the contents were scattered about near 
the foot of the cabin steps. At the time of 
the accident the captain was upon deck, and 
having occasion to go below, he stepped into 
the midst of the greasy particles and mea- 
sured his length upon the floor. The 
butter received a stamp of considerable 
magnitude in the form of a head, which, 
although it served to protect the captain's 
from any lamentable damage, did not shield 
mine from a volley of oaths and threats aris- 
mg from the irritation of the moment at the 
awkward predicament in which he found 
himself placed. 

After a pleasant voyage of about fourteen 
days, we arrived in sight of our destined 



32 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

port. That part of St. Domingo in which 
Cape Francois is situated was then in pos- 
session of the French ; and, in regard to cer- 
tain articles, trade was prohibited between 
the inhabitants and the American colonies. 
Some management was therefore necessary 
to obtain the cargo we wanted. A boat 
was sent ashore to inform certain merchants 
who were expecting us, of our arrival. In 
the morning a pilot came to our assistance, 
and we were soon anchored in the harbor 
of Cape Francois. 

We carried out staves and hoops in a 
state of preparation to be converted into 
hogsheads; and I worked at coopering till 
we were ready to receive our cargo. Hav- 
ing filled the hogsheads with molasses, 
which was apparently all our cargo, we set 
sail, and afterwards took on board a quan- 
tity of coffee, a prohibited article, which 
was conveyed to us by vessels employed for 
that purpose. 

Our loading being thus completed, we 
directed our course for Providence, and after 
a passage of about fifteen days Ave arrived 
at Stonington, Connecticut. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 33 

During our absence from home, the Revo- 
lutionary war had commenced, and we 
found that the British had begun their 
depredations upon our commerce and mari- 
time towns. 

We left Stonington in the night, enter- 
taining the hope, that, Avith a favorable 
wind, we might get into Providence without 
being discovered by the British cruisers, 
which we knew were cruising somewhere 
between Newport and Providence. 

If the breeze had continued favorable, we 
should have effected our object ; but, unfor- 
tunately, the wind subsided a little before 
daylight, and in the morning we found our- 
selves close by the enemy, consisting of two 
ships of war, and a small vessel called a 
tender between them and the land. The 
American commander. Commodore Whip- 
ple, with a naval force greatly inferior to 
the British, was seen by us, higher up the 
bay, out of reach of the enemy, making sig- 
nals for us to press all sail and approach. 
But unluckily we were ignorant of the 
meaning of the signals, and did not know 
whether they came from a friend or an 



34 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

enemy. As the cruisers were to the wind- 
ward of us, we tacked one way and the 
other, hoping that we should be able to beat 
up the bay; but, finding that the tender was 
about to intercept our progress in one direc- 
tion, while the cruisers approached us in 
the other, and no chance of escape appear- 
ing, we bore away and ran our vessel ashore. 

Preparations were hastily made for leav- 
ing the vessel, our captain having given per- 
mission to all, who were disposed to run the 
risk, to make their escape. The mate and 
crew jumped overboard and swam for the 
shore where they all arrived safe, although 
fired upon by the British tender. 

Captain Manchester, supposing that I 
should be unable to reach the shore by 
swimming, kindly advised me to remain on 
board with him and be taken prisoner. I 
hesitated a short time about taking his 
advice, but finally concluded to run the risk 
of being drowned ; and with nothing on but 
a shirt and a pair of trowsers, I plunged into 
the sea and sAvam for the shore, where I 
arrived without injury, but nearly exhausted 
from fatigue and fear, not a little augmented 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 35 

Dy the sound of the hullets that whistled 
around my head while in the water. In 
dread of pursuit, I ran into a corn-field, and 
finding my wet clothes an incumbrance, I 
stripped them off and ran with all speed 
through the field. 

At a little distance in advance of me I 
could discover a number of men, whom I 
soon found to be our ship's crew, who had 
landed before me. My appearance among 
them in a state of entire nakedness excited 
not a little mirth. " Holloa ! my boy," 
exclaimed one of them, "you cut a pretty 
figure ; not from the garden of Eden, I can 
swear for it, for you have not even an apron 
of fig-leaves to cover you with ; you were 
not born to be drowned, I see, though you 
may live to be hanged." But after a few 
jests at my expense, the mate took off one 
of the two shirts, with which he had taken 
the precaution to provide himself before he 
left the vessel, and gave it to me. This gar- 
m3nt answered all the purposes of a cover- 
ing, as it effectually covered my person from 
my shoulders to my feet. After travelling 
about half of a mile, we came to a house, 



36 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

where the good woman, taking pity on my 
grotesque and unique condition, gave me 
a decent suit of clothes. 

I immediately proceeded to Providence, 
where I arrived the same day, and lost no 
time before visiting my good aunt, although 
I had great doubts and fears of the reception 
I should meet with. She was glad to see 
me again, but did not lose the opportunity 
of giving me a long lecture upon the folly 
of my conduct in leaving home; and ap- 
pealed to my candor to acknowledge the 
justice of her reproof, by comparing my 
present condition with what it formerly was. 
The anxiety and distress of my parents, too, 
were described to me in all the eloquence 
of female affection, as an additional induce- 
ment to return to them. 

The misfortunes I had thus far experi- 
enced, she alleged, I ought to consider as 
judgments against any more attempts to be 
separated from my friends ; and concluded 
with advising me, in the kindest manner, to 
return home, and with many generous offers 
to assist me and to produce a reconciliation, 
should her assistance be found necessary. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 3''' 

I felt conscious that the result of this 
?oyage did not fill my mouth with argu- 
ments in favor of a second. I went away 
tolerably well clothed, and returned stark 
naked, but I could not however see the 
force of her reasoning, nor make a proper 
application of it to my circumstances. 

The minds of the old and the young are 
differently constituted, and their modes of 
thinking, and the train of reasoning they 
pursue are entirely dissimilar. The former 
consider actions in connexion with their 
consequences, and look to the future good 
or evil that may arise; while the latter 
regard only present prospect, and are un- 
mindful of future events and reckless of the 
future calamities to which they may be 
exposed. Youth rush into danger and are 
heedlesi^ of it ; while the aged, warned by 
experience, turn aside and avoid it. Find- 
ing me obstinately resolved upon undertak- 
ing another voyage, to obtain, as I thought, 
some remuneration for the misfortunes ex- 
perienced in the first, my aunt showed a 
disposition to assist me as readily as before 
4 



38 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

and I was soon comfortably fitted out for a 
second expedition. 

Four days after my arrival in Providence, 
I fortunately met with a ship-master, named 
Thomas, and engaged in his employ for a 
voyage to Cape Francois, the port to which 
I sailed on my former voyage. We had a 
short passage, and arrived at our destined 
port without anything having transpired 
worthy of notice during the voyage. 

We took in a cargo similar to the one we 
received on my former voyage, and set sail 
for Providence, where we arrived after a 
pleasant passage of eighteen or twenty days. 
I worked on board the vessel several days, 
assisting to unload her, and then received 
my wages, which had been stipulated at 
four dollars per month. 

With my money in my pocket, the largest 
sum I ever before possessed, and much 
elated with my success, I visited my good 
aunt once more, who received me with much 
joy. She assisted me with her advice in 
purchasing some articles of clothing, that I 
might make a respectable appearance amoug 
my friends. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 39 

I i;o\v t'lought I could consistently return 
to my native place ; and was willing to 
comply with the desire of my aunt and my 
own inclinations, to visit my parents, who, 
I knew, must have suffered much anxiety at 
my absence, a wanderer they knew not 
where, at a time when the country was in 
such a state of commotion as to render it 
somewhat hazardous for a youth like me to 
be without a guide or protector. 

After securing my clothing in a small 
pack, I slung it on my back, and started on 
foot for home, from which I had been absent 
about six months. This was the latter part 
of November, 1775. 

My finances being rather low, after de- 
ducting the expense of my clothing, I found 
it necessary to exercise economy on my 
journey, and not indulge myself in enter- 
tainment at public houses. I found a ready 
welcome at the dwellings of the farmers on 
the road, and was treated with an abun- 
dance of bread and milk without compen- 
sation. I was hospitably received at a re- 
spectable farm-house the first night on my 
journey ; and on the second, arrived at the 



40 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

American camp in Roxbury, on Saturday 
evening. Ascertaining tliat my parents had. 
during my absence, removed to Dorchester, 
a distance of about three miles, 1 felt too 
much fatigued to seek their residence that 
night, and found comfortable accommoda- 
tions in one of the barracks. 

Early on Sunday morning I started for 
Dorchester, and soon, to my great joy and 
satisfaction, found my parents in the enjoy- 
ment of good health, excepting my father, 
who was afflicted with a bad cold and was 
lying asleep on the bed when I entered the 
house. My good mother gazed at me with 
the amazement of one who had seen a spec- 
tre. She had long before given up all hopes 
of ever seeing me again, having heard 
nothing respecting me during my absence ; 
and, as she was well aware of my inclina- 
tion for a sailor's life, she had concluded 
that I had gone to sea, and that, in her esti- 
mation, was equivalent to being lost.* 

*It may appear surprising to the reader that my aunt ai 
Providence had not informed my parents respecting my move- 
ments. To say nothing of the fact, that she did not possess 
the pen of a ready writer, there were no regular means Ibi 
conveying information in those days. Mails and post-offices, 
now so common, were then unknown. Situated as my aunt 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 41 

As soon as she had recovered from the 
shock caused by my sudden and unexpected 
appearance, and recovered her self-posses- 
sioUj she aroused my father with a scream of 
joy and the exclamation "Our son is return- 
ed!" Tlie disposition of my father was 
more equable than that of my mother, and his 
feelings were less excitable than hers; conse- 
quently he exhibited less astonishment at 
sight of me, though he felt as much pleasure 
on the occasion. Neither had he yielded to 
those fears for my safety which had taken 
possession of my mother's mind; or else he 
had endeavored to conceal his apprehensions 
in order to pacify hers ; constantly encourag- 
ing her with the hope that I "should, no 
doubt, be taken care of" 

My mother was about commencing an 
endless train of questions respecting my 
adventures, but, intimating that I was 
hungry, having had no breakfast, she post- 
poned the gratification of her curiosity to 
attend to my animal wants. 

was, she could have but little access to travellers, and being 
very domestic in her habits, she was seldom out of the houM 
•f her employer. 

4* 



Whfle varfaiiMiaOj watdiiiig the ^ fto ^t^ 
of mf ma^ytt in bfcr euUjiaiy c^ratkirui, my 
iaifaer, with omch i^raviiy artd h/Af,inuny <A 
mmnuet, addieMed wj^; as foiiows: — "My 
um. I am much sarprised and griered thiat 
ycpa should l^iare kft liorr^ iri the majinfn 
you did, withoot i^viug lub any means to 
ascertain your iate, or what your intentioriJi 
▼ere. if you ha/1 any cau*e for com[>Laint, 
ar^J i\iffti^)nt yourself iil-treate^i, why did 
you f*ot \uUnm uit:, arid I would have M^:;n 
'usty;^; done'/' With the sense of wrongs, 
';jther r*:aJ or imajrinary, stjjl rankhng in rny 
bf*a*t, 1 uqAif'A t>iat I had d^^ne so, re- 
j>:at«;^ijy, but no atU;nti/jri had U^en paid to 
;ny 'y>n* plaints; and that I had ofi<;n tr>!d 
my mother that 1 intended t/> go forth into 
the world fir/r the purpr^s^j of improving my 
cofidiij</n, *'Hir*ce you have U->;n pfesi-.rved 
from any mtriousi d)sast/ir," continuwi my 
father, *^and no evil affihcjimmf^m UiLya 
ntnuiuA frofft the imprudent hU;ps you have 
taken, I hof>e yrni will abandon all »u/:h 
h/:hem/rs in fiiture. You can remain at 
horm? until you are old enouj/h t/j learn a 
tra^J/i, and then clux^iu: ona it a youratAi', 



OP KIKMKXKE FOX. H 

At this time my father found abimdance 
employment in working at his trade (or 

.0 soldiers in the American camp. During 
v.: 3 wintej I improved the time in atteiKling 
a school, and making myself usetul in 

rious ways to my parents. I often visited 

.-Vmerican camp, and endeavored by 
conversing with the soldiers to ascertain 
what plans were fonned for their future 
ojx^rations. My taiher having a large tamily 
to maintain by his industry, I lS?lt unwilling 
to remain at home, a burvlon upon him, and 
was desiix^us of supp^^rting myself. My^ 
bretliex James, who was two yeais oldtt 
than myself, had likewise been at hoBM 
during the preceding winter: and it was 
tliought exjxxlieiit that both of us should 
learu some useful tiade. 



44 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



CHAPTER III. 

Uninterrupted intercourse being now 
established between the country and the 
town, my brother and myself were sent into 
Boston to choose our trades and seek our 
employers. James found a situation in the 
bakery of Mr. Edward Tuckerman,* in the 
south part of the tOAvn, as an apprentice 
upon probation; and I found employment 
in the shop of Mr. John Bosson, a barber and 
manufacturer of wigs, upon the same condi- 
tions. 

After we had been in these situations 
long enough for all parties to be satisfied, 
we were bound by my father in ' regular 
form as apprentices. 

The trade of a barber in those days was 
very different from what it now is. My 
principal employment was in the preparation 
of hair for the purposes of wigs, crapc- 

* Father of the late Rev. Dr. Tuckerman, who vas dis* 
tinguished for his benevolence and philanthropy. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 45 

cushions, &c. ; being occasionally allowed to 
scrape the face of some transient cnstomer, 
who might be reasonably expected never to 
^all again for a repetition of the operation. 

In Mr. Bosson's service 1 continued until 
I was sixteen years old, and made laudable 
progress in the mysteries of his art. 

The war at this time was fiercely main- 
tained between the United States and Great 
Britain; and as soldiers were wanted, a 
draught was made upon the militia of Mas- 
sachusetts for a quota of men to march to 
New York, to reinforce the American army 
then in the vicinity of that city. My mas- 
ter was unfortunately among the number 
draughted for that service. As he did not 
possess a great degree of military spirit, he 
was much distressed at -the demand thus 
suddenly made upon his patriotism. One 
day, while my fellow-apprentice and myself 
were at work, Mr. Bosson entered the shop 
laboring under great agitation of mind. It 
was evident that something had happened 
to discompose his temper, which was natur- 
ally somewhat irritable. He walked rapidly 
about, occasionally stopping, and honing 



46 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

several razors that he had put in perfect 
order previous to his going out; and attempt- 
ing to sharpen a pair of sliears that at the 
time bore the keenest edge ; he furnished us 
with much food for conjecture as to the 
cause of his strange conduct. At length, 
from various ejaculations, and now and then 
a half-smothered turse upon his ill luck, we 
gathered the fact, that he was enrolled 
among the soldiers who were soon to take 
up the line of march for New York. This 
was an unfortunate business for him; a 
reality he had not anticipated. The idea of 
shouldering a musket, buckling on^a knap- 
sack, leaving his quiet family, and march- 
ing several hundred miles for the good of 
his country, never took a place in his mind. 
Although a firm friend to his country, and 
willing to do all he could to help along her 
cause, as far as expressing favorable opin- 
ions and good wishes availed, yet there was 
an essential ditlerence in his mind between 
the theory and the art of war ; between act- 
ing the soldier, and triumphing at the 
soldier's success. 

The reality of his position operated as a 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 47 

safety-valve to let off the steam of his patriot- 
ism, and to leave him in a state of languor 
well calculated to produce in him a degree 
of resignation for remaining at home. But 
what was to be done? A substitute could 
not be obtained for the glory that might be 
acquired in the service ; and as for money, 
no hopes could be entertained of raising 
sufficient for the purpose, Mr. Bosson con- 
tinued to fidget about, uttering such expres- 
sions as his excited feelings prompted, 
allowing us to catch a disconnected sen- 
tence, such as : '' Hard times don't 

need two apprentices any more than a toad 

needs a tail ;" " if either of you had the 

spunk of a louse, you would offer to go for 
me." With this last remark he quit the 
shop apparently in high dudgeon. 

The truth was now evident, that he 
wanted somebody to take his place. 

To provide ways and means of payment 
v/as the principal obstacle in the way of 
hiring a substitute. Gold and silver had 
scarcely a physical existence in the country, 
and the want of a circulating medium was 
attempted to be supplie/1 by the legislative 



^ 



REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



acts of government in issuing an excessive 
quantity of paper money, which, as it never 
had any intrinsic value, soon degenerated 
from its nominal worth with progressive 
rapidity. From 1777 to 1781 the state of 
the money was so fluctuating that no certam 
calculation could be made of its value ; for it 
was not two days at a time of the same 
value. The depreciation continued, till pru- 
dent people declined taking it at any rate; 
and they, who did, received it at a deprecia- 
tion of several himdreds for one. While 
such a state of things continued, all kinds of 
business was prostrate. The laborer, though 
*' worthy of his hire," could not obtain any- 
thing for it. Patriotism, more than a love 
of gain, prompted men to join the army. 
More were willing to enlist voluntarily than 
to serve in the capacity of substitutes for an 
uncertain compensation. My master, there- 
fore, had but little hope of finding any one 
willing to serve in his stead. 

The spirit of adventure had been sup- 
pressed, but not destroyed, within me. The 
monotonous duties of the shop grew irksome, 
and I longed for some employment produc- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 49 

tive of variety. The opportunity seemed 
favorable to my desires ; and, as my elder 
fellow-apprentice was fearful that he might 
be called upon, he encouraged me in the 
project, and I resolved upon offering my 
services. 

Mr. Bosson accepted my proposition to 
act as his substitute with a great degree of 
satisfaction and gratitude, which he evinced 
by a liberal supply of clothing and equip- 
ments for the service. He did not suffer my 
zeal to cool, but immediately gave directions 
to have me enrolled and enlisted for three 
months, in a company commanded by Capt. 
William Bird of Boston, in a regiment mider 
Colonel Proctor. 

Early in the month of September, 1779 
being not quite sixteen, the age required at 
that time for the militia service, our com- 
pany was paraded on Boston common, and 
with a heavy knapsack on my back, and a 
gun on my shoulder, superior in weight to 
those carried by soldiers at the present time, 
we took up the line of march. 

We halted at Roxbury to take under our 
protection six baggage wagons of ammum- 
5 



50 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

tion, and commenced our march for Peeks- 
Kill, in the state of New York. 

Dudng our march, several little events 
transpired, which serve to show to what 
losses and vexations the inhabitants of a 
country are exposed when troops are moving 
through their territories. One afternoon 
some geese were discovered enjoying them- 
selves in a pond near the road ; and one of 
the soldiers, thinking that a little poultry 
would not be an unacceptable addition to 
our bill of fare, threw a stone among them 
and killed one of the largest of the flock. 

The prize was secured and concealed by 
taking ofl" the head of a drum and putting the 
goose into it, and then restoring the instru- 
ment to its former appearance. The owner 
of the poultry followed and complained to 
the commanding olhcer of this depredation 
on his property. Vi-e halted long enough to 
have the wagons searched, but the goose 
was not found; and we were allowed to 
march on. When the camp fires were 
kindled at night, the goose was roasted, and 
our captain did not hesitate to eat a leg 
wing, and a piece of the breast without 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 51 

troubling us with any questions respecting 
3ur right of possession. 
■ A few days subsequent to this event, we 
lalted one evening, after a tiresome day's 
narch, at a well-provided farming establish- 
ment belonging to an old Quaker. Permis- 
sion was asked to allow us to lodge in some 
jf his spacious barns, but the old man would 
lot give his consent, alleging that his prin- 
ciples were opposed to the spirit of war, and 
that he could not aid those who were en- 
gaged in mortal contests. We urged him to 
consider our fatigue, our wants, and the perils 
^o which we were exposed for the good of 
;he country ; but these appeals produced no 
change in his purpose. Finding that solici- 
:ation and entreaty were vain, we changed 
)ur tone, and peremptorily demanded accom- 
nodations. As refusal would have been 
iiseless to men tired and hungry as we were, 
md possessing the physical force to exeict 
'compliance, he reluctantly consented to our 
{leeping in an old building, that seemed to 
nave been erected for some mechanical pur- 
pose. This was all we could obtain, for he 
•efused to sell us bread, or milk, or any 



52 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

eatable; and even to permit our commande* 
to lodge in his house. 

Such inhospitable treatment was rare m 
those days. The wants of the soldiers, the 
defenders of their country, were generally 
cheerfully supplied; and they, who were 
not engaged in active service, were willing 
to contribute all in their power to the com- 
fort and sustenance of the soldier. 

In the building, to which we were admit- 
ted, we found a large kettle or boiler, which 
we filled with water, and made a fire under 
it. Late at night a party was sent out to 
search the premises and to seize whatever 
could be found capable of being converted 
to our benefit, or of contributing to our 
physical wants. 

In an orchard belonging to the Quaker a 
large number of fowls were found quietly 
roosting upon the trees, little dreaming of 
the murderous attack about to be made 
upon them. Between thirty and forty were 
captured, to whom no quarters were given, 
and brought into the camp. The feathers 
were quickly plucked, and the bodies were 
scalded in the kettle. Afterwards they 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 53 

were stowed away in our knapsacks, and a 
party sufficient to carry the plunder were 
sent on in advance. 

We started early the next morning, and, 
after a march of about fifteen miles, we 
overtook the party in advance with the half- 
cooked poultry. The inhospitable spirit, 
manifested by the Quaker, was the cause of 
a much greater loss to him than he v/ould 
have suffered, had he shown a disposition 
to afford us some trifling accommodations. 

We halted at a farm house, and, having 
borrowed a large brass kettle, emptied the 
contents of the knapsacks into it. combining 
therewith a goodly quantity of onions, pota- 
toes, and carrots, and soon converted the 
heterogeneous mass into what we called a 
chicken soup, which, though it might not 
have been very palatable to an epicure, was 
not to be despised by a company of hungry 
soldiers. 

After a fatiguing march of five or six 
days, we arrived at Peeks-Kill, and deliv- 
ered to the commander there our wagons of 
ammunition, and then marched to Albany. 

While we remained at Albany, we were 
5* 



64 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

quartered in what was then called the "old 
French fort." We remained here about six 
weeks, when, General Washington having 
changed his plan of operations, and aban- 
doned his design of attacking New York, 
and our services being no longer needed, we 
were discharged, to get home in the best 
way we could. 

When we left Boston, each of us received 
three thousand dollars in Continental money; 
of the value of which the reader may have 
already formed some idea, and it had not 
risen since our departure, for we found on 
our return that from one hundred to one 
hundred and fifty dollars of it were required 
for a simple repast. In addition to this 
compensation, our monthly pay was forty 
shillings, in the same valuable currency. 
My clothes were much worn and damaged 
in the service, and upon our return were 
found in a very shabby condition, especially 
my shoes. Of these I had two pairs, but the 
good judgment of a thief was shown -by 
stealing ^ the better pair one night while I 
was asleep, leaving me no other alternative 
but to go barefoot, or secure the remaining 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 6^ 

ones to my feet by winding rope-yarn around 
them in the form of bandages. 

My feet were covered with bUsters while 
{ marched over the frozen ground and snow; 
ind thus, almost crippled, and worn down 
(vith fatigue, I arrived at my father's in 
Roxbury, whiiaer he had returned, after an 
absence of about two months. 

After resting a few days at home, and re- 
•Novering my strength and spirits, I returnea 
.0 Mr. Bosson, abundantly satisfied with the 
specimen I had experienced of a soldier's 
iife, assuring him that nothing would again 
induce me to officiate as a substitute for him 
or aiiybody else. 



06 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



CHAPTER IV. 

I CONTINUED to perform my duties in the 
shop, and was contented with my employ- 
ment till I was about seventeen years of 
age, when a spirit of roving once more got 
possession of me ; and I expressed a desire 
to go to sea. The condition of the country 
was at this time distressing; and, as my 
master had not more business than he and 
one apprentice could perform, he expressed 
a wilhngness to consent, upon condition 
that he should receive one half of my wages 
and the same proportion of whatever prize 
money might fall to my share. 

Our coast was lined with British cruisers, 
which had almost annihilated our com- 
merce; and the state of Massachusetts 
judged it expedient to build a government 
vessel, rated as a twenty-gun ship, named 
the "Protector,'' commanded by Captain 
John Foster Williams. She was to be fitted 
out for service as soor as possible, to pro* 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 57 

tect our commerce, and to annoy the enemy. 
A rendezvous was established for recruits 
at the head of Hancock's wharf, where the 
national flag, then bearing thirteen stripes 
and stars, was hoisted. All means were 
resorted to, which ingenuity could devise, 
to induce men to enlist. A recruiting offi- 
cer, bearing a flag and attended by a band 
of martial music, paraded the streets, to 
excite a thirst for glory and a spirit of mili- 
ary ambition. 

The recruiting officer possessed the qual- 
ifications requisite to make the service 
appear alluring, especially to the young 
He was a jovial, good-natured fellow, of 
ready wit and much broad humor. Crowds 
followed in his wake when he marched 
the streets ; and he occasionally stopped at 
the corners to harangue the multitude, in 
order to excite their patriotism and zeal for 
the cause of liberty. 

When he espied any large boys among 
the idle crowd around him, he would at- 
tract their attention by singing in a comical 
manner the following doggerel : 



68 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

" All you that have bad masters 
And cannot get your due ; 
Come, come, my brave boys, 
And join with our ship's crew." 

A shout and a huzza Avould follow, and some 
would join in the ranks. My excitable 
feelings were roused; I repaired to the ren- 
dezvous, signed the ship's papers, mounted 
a cockade, and was in my own estimation 
already more than half of a sailor. The 
ship was as yet far from being supplied 
with her complement of men; and the 
recruiting business went on slowly. Ap- 
peals continued to be made to the patriotism 
of every young man to lend his aid, by his 
exertions on sea or land, to free his country 
from the common enemy. Promises of gain 
were held out, which set truth at defiance, 
and offers the most tempting that the im- 
poverished state of the finances of govern- 
ment could promise. About the last of 
February the ship was ready to receive her 
crew, and was hauled off into channel, that 
the sailors might have no opportunity to 
run away after they were got on board. 
Upwards of three hundred and thirty men 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 69 

were carried, dragged, and -driven on bof*rd, 
of all kinds, ages, and descriptions, in all 
the various stages of intoxication ; from 
that of '' sober tipsiness" to beastly drunk- 
enness, with the uproar and clamor that 
may be more easily imagined than described. 
Such a motley group has never been seen 
since Falstaff's ragged regiment paraded 
the streets of Coventry. 

The wind being fair, Ave weighed anchor 
and dropped down to Nantasket roads, 
where we lay till about the first of April ; 
and then set sail for a cruise of six months. 
Our course was first directly eastward; 
and, while keeping along the coast, we 
espied two English ships of war, each car- 
rying sixteen or eighteen guns. We imme- 
diately gave chase ; but to our surprise and 
regret tliey avoided an engagement, and 
made all sail from us. In consequence of 
having coppered bottoms, the sloops were 
better sailers than our ship, which was not 
coppered, and they made their escape. 
Their conduct was inexph cable to us, as 
each, without cooperation, was of force suf- 
ficient to be a match for us ; and both, act- 



60 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

ing in concert, might have given us cause 
to repent, had we come in contact with 
them. 

We continued to cruise along the coast 
for a few weeks, without meeting with any 
of the enemy, when, some indications ot 
tempestuous weather appearing, our cap- 
tain judged it expedient ta steer for the 
banks of Newfoundland, that he might have 
more sea room in case of a gale. We ar- 
rived oiF the banks, where we cruised for 
nearly eight weeks, most of the time in a 
dense fog, without meeting with friend or 
foe. 

On the morning of June 9th, 17S0, the 
fog began to clear away ; and the man at 
the mast-head gave notice that he saw a 
ship to the westward of us. As the fog 
cleared up, we perceived her to be a large 
ship under English colors to the windward, 
standing athwart our starboard bow. Our 
relative position gave us an opportunity to 
escape, but our valiant captain did not see 
fit to avail himself of it. 

As she came down upon us, she appecired 
as large as a seventy-four; and we were 



OF EBENEZER FOX. ' 61 

not deceived respecting her size, for it after- 
Avards proved that she was an old East-In- 
diaman, of eleven-hundred tons burden^ 
fitted out as a letter-of-marque for the West- 
India trade, mounted with thirty-two guns, 
and furnished with a complement of one 
hundred and fifty men. She was called 
the Admiral Duff, commanded by Richard 
Strang, from St. Christopher* and St. Eu- 
statia, laden with sugar and tobacco, and 
bound to London. I was standing near our 
first lieutenant, Mr. Little, who was calmly 
examining the enemy, as she approached, 
with his spy-glass, when Captain Williams 
stepped up and asked his opinion of her. 
The lieutenant applied the glass to his eye 
again and took a deliberate look in silence, 
and replied, "I think she is a heavy ship, 
and that we shall have some hard fighting ^ 
but of one thing I am certain, she is not a 
frigate; if she were, she would not keep 
yawing, and showing her broadsides as 
she does ; she would show nothing but hei 
head and stern ; we shall have the advan 

* Commonly called St. Kitts. 

6 



62 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

tage of her, and the quicker we get along- 
side the better." Our captain ordered 
Enghsh colors to be hoisted, and the ship 
to be cleared for action. The shrill pipe of 
the boatswain summoned all hands to their 
duty. The bedding and hammocks of the 
sailors were brought up from between 
decks ; the bedding placed in the hammocks, 
and lashed up in the nettings ; our courses 
hauled up; the top-gallant sails clewed 
down; and every preparation was made, 
which a skilful officer could suggest, or ac- 
tive sailors perform. 

The enemy approached till within musket 
shot of us. The two ships were so near to 
each other that we could distinguish the 
officers from the men; and I particularly 
noticed the captain on the gang-way, a 
noble-looking man, having a large gold- 
laced cocked hat on his head, and a speak- 
ing-trumpet in his hand. Lieutenant Little 
possessed a powerful voice, and he was di- 
rected to hail the enemy ; at the same time 
the quarter-master was ordered to stand 
ready to haul down the English flag and to 
hoist up the American. Oar lieutenant 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 63. 

took his station on the after part of the 
starboard gangway, and, elevating the 
trumpet, exclaimed, '' Hallo ! whence come 
you?" — ''From Jamaica, bound to Lon- 
don," was the answer. "What is the 
ship's name?" inquired the lieutenant. 
^' The Admiral Duff," was the reply. 

The English captain then thought it his 
turn to interrogate, and asked the name of 
our ship. Lieutenant Little, in order to 
gain time, put the trumpet to his ear. pre- 
tending not to hear the question. During 
the short interval, thus gained. Captain 
Williams called upon the gunner to ascer- 
tain how many guns could be brought to 
bear upon the enemy. "Five," was the 
answer. " Then fire, and shift the colors," 
were the orders. The cannons poured 
forth their deadly contents, and, with the 
first flash, the American flag took the place 
of the British ensign at our mast-head. 

The compliment was returned in the 
form of a full broad-side, and the action 
commenced. I was stationed on the edge 
of the quarter-deck, to sponge and load a 
six-pounder; this position gave me a fine 



64 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

•opportunity to see the whole action. Broad- 
sides were exchanged with great rapidity 
for nearly an hour; our fire, as we after- 
wards ascertained, produced a terrible 
slaughter among the enemy, while our loss 
was as yet trifling.^ 

I happened to be looking for a moment 
towards the main deck, when a large shot 
name through our ship's side and killed Mr. 

* After these pages were written, I ascertained that Mr. 
Frederick Lane, of Boston, a relative of Captain John Foster 
Williams, had in his possession the original log-book of the 
ship Protector. Mr. Lane had the politeness to send it to 
me, and I have made the following extracts verbatim from 
one of its pages. 

"June 9th, 1780. 

"At 7 A. M. saw a ship to the Westward, we stood for 
her under English Colors, the Ship standing athaught us, 
under English Colours, appeared to be a large ship. At 11 
came along side of her, hailed her, she answered from Ja- 
maica. I shifted my colours and gave her a Broadside, she 
soon returned us another, the action was very heavy for near 
three Glasses, v^hen she took fire and blew up— got out the 
Boats to save the men, took up 55 of them, the greatest part 
of them wounded with our shot and Burnt when the ship 
Blew up, she was called the Adml. DuiT of 32 Guns, 
Comman'd by Richard Strang from St. Kitts and Estatia, 
Ladened with Sugar and Tobacco bound to London. We 
Lost in the action one man, Mr. Benja. Scollay and 5 
wounded. Rec'd several Shot in our Hull, and several of oiir 
shrouds and stays shot away." 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 65 

Benjamin Scollay, a very promising young 
man, who was, I think, a midshipman. At 
this moment a shot from one of our marines 
killed the man at the wheel of the enemy's 
ship, and, his place not being immediately 
supplied, she was brought alongside of us 
in such a manner as to bring her bowsprit 
directly across our forecastle. Not know- 
ing the cause of this movement, we supposed 
it to be the intention of the enemy to board 
us. Our boarders were ordered to be ready 
with their pikes to resist any such attempt, 
while our guns on the main deck were 
sending death and destruction among the 
crew of the enemy. Their principal object 
now seemed to be to get liberated from us, 
and by cutting away some of their rigging, 
they were soon clear, and at the distance 
of a pistol shot. 

The action was then renewed, with addi- 
tional fury; broadside for broadside con- 
tinued with unabated vigor; at times so 
near to each other that the muzzles of our 
guns came almost in contact, then again at 
such a distance as to allow of taking delib- 
erate aim. The contest was obstinately 
6* 



66 EEVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

continued by the enemy, although we could 
perceive that great havoc was made among 
them, and that it was with much difficulty 
that their men were compelled to remain at 
their quarters. 

A charge of grape-shot came in at one of 
our port-holes, which dangerously wounded 
four or five of our men, among whom was 
our third lieutenant, Mr. Little, brother to 
the first. His life was despaired of, but by 
he kind attention he received from his 
rother, and the surgeon, he finally re- 
covered, though he bore evidence of the 
severity of his wounds through life. 

While Captain Williams was walking 
the quarter deck, which he did during the 
whole action, a shot from the enemy struck 
the speaking trumpet from liis hand and 
sent it to a considerable distance from him. 
He picked it up with great calmness of 
manner, and resumed his walk, without 
appearing to have been at all disturbed by 
the circumstance. 

The battle still continued with unabated 
vigor on both sides, till our marksmen had 
Killed or wounded all the men m the fore^ 




iiiiiliiisiiM^^ 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 67 

main, and mizen tops of the enemy. The 
action had now lasted about an hour and a 
half, and the fire from the enemy began to 
slacken, when we suddenly discovered that 
til the sails on her mainmast were envel- 
oped in a blaze. The fire spread with amaz- 
jng rapidity, and, running down the after- 
ligging, it soon communicated with her 
<Tiagazine, when her whole stern was blown 
off", and her valuable cargo emptied into the 
sea. All feelings of hostility now ceased, 
and those of pity were excited in our breasts 
for the miserable crew that survived the 
catastrophe. 

Our enemy's ship was now a complete 
wreck, though she still floated, and the sur- 
vivors were endeavoring to save themelvess 
in the only boat that had escaped the gene- 
ral destruction. The humanity of our cap- 
tain urged him to make all possible exer- 
tion to save the miserable, wounded, and 
burnt wretches, who were struggling for 
their lives in the water. The ship of the 
enemy was greatly our superior in size, and 
lay much higher out of the water. 

Our boats had been much exposed to his 



68 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENl URES 

fire, as they were placed on spars between 
the fore and main masts during the action, 
and had suffered considerable damage. 
The carpenters were ordered to repair them 
with the utmost expedition, and we got 
them out in season to take up fifty-five men, 
the greater part of whom had been wounded 
by our shot or burned when the powder 
magazine exploded. These men exhibited 
a spectacle truly heart-rending to behold. 
Their limbs were mutilated by all manner 
of wounds, while some were burned to such 
a degree that the skin was nearly flayed from 
their bodies. Our surgeon and his assistants 
had just completed the task of dressing the 
wounds of our own crew, and then they 
directed their attention to the wounded of 
the enemy. Several of them suffered the 
amptutation of their limbs, and the wounds 
of the others were treated in a skilful 
manner, and every attention was paid to 
them which our circumstances would allow. 
Five of them died of their wounds, and were 
committed to their watery graves. From 
the survivors we learned, that the Britisli 
commander had frequently .expressed a 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 69 

desire to come in contact with a " Yankee 
frigate," during his voyage, that he might 
have a prize to carry to London. Poor 
fellow ! he little thought of losing his ship 
and his life in an engagement with a ship so 
much inferior to his own — with an enemy 
upon whom he looked with so much 
contempt. 

We ascertained that the loss of the enemy 
was prodigious, compared with ours. This 
disparity however will not appear so re- 
markable, when it is .considered that, al- 
though their ship was larger than ours, it 
was not so well supplied with men ; having 
no marines to use the musket, they fought 
with their guns alone, and, as their ship lay 
much higher out of the water than ours, the 
greater part of their shot went over us, 
cutting our rigging and sails, without in- 
juring our men. We had about seventy 
marines, who did great execution with their 
muskets, picking off the officers and men 
with a sure and deliberate aim. 

After the action was over, I found that I 
was so deaf, as to cause me to fear that 1 
had totally lost t4ie sense of hearing. I 



70 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

attributed this to the noise of the cannon, 
which I had been employed in loading and 
sponging for such a period of time. It was 
nearly a week before my hearing was re- 
stored, and then but partially; and, ever 
since, I have experienced great inconven- 
ience from this deafness. 

In all our naval engagements, both in the 
revolutionary war and the subsequent one, 
there has been a great inequality of loss 
among the contending parties. The history 
of our naval actions oifers abundant testi- 
mony to corroborate the truth of this state- 
ment. Its cause, to me, is inexplicable. 

Our sailors were busily employed in pick- 
ing up the various articles that were floating, 
and getting them on board, while the car- 
penters and riggers were engaged in repair- 
ing the damages we had received. The 
ship was soon in good order and prepared 
again to meet the enemy, and we continued 
on Qur cruise. 

The weather growing warm, sails were 
suspended between the decks, for the pur- 
pose of ventilating and purifying the atmo>- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. Tt 

phere by their motion ; but little benefit 
resulted from the experiment. 

Our captain, finding that sickness was 
increasing among the crew, and that the 
wounded were suffering greatly, judged it 
expedient to leave our cruising ground, and 
to steer for some eastern port, that we 
might obtain a supply of wood and water. 

Some repairs likewise Avere necessary, 
which we could not conveniently make at 
sea, previous to a short cruise which our 
captain intended we should make before our 
return to Boston. 

About the twentieth of the month we 
sailed from: the banks of Newfoundland, 
and arrived at Broad bay in seven or eight 
days. Having found a good harbor, we 
dropped anchor, and made immediate prep- 
arations to get our sick and wounded men 
on shore. Captain Williams made a con- 
tract with a farmer, who was friendly to the 
American cause, in comfortable circum- 
stances, having good buildings, to provide 
for the sick and wounded, and to furnish 
accommodations for our surgeon's mate 



72 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

who was left on shore Avith medicines and 
other things proper for a hospital. 

There was now a constant communication 
kept up between the ship and the shore, and 
it was necessary for our officers to exercise 
great vigilance to protect the property of 
our friendly farmer from depredation. An 
attempt on the part of some of our crew to 
steal from him was detected in a singular 
manner. 

A copper-colored fellow, half Indian and 
half negro, had seen a fatted calf in the far- 
mer's barn, which he coveted to such a 
degree as to induce him to make a desperate 
attempt to make it a prize. The graceless 
rascal found another of the crew, whose 
appetite for veal overcame what little moral 
sense he possessed, ready to second him m 
the undertaking. 

Late at night, after all hands had retired, 
Cramps, for that was the name of the prin- 
cipal adventurer, took a boat, went oii shore 
secured the calf, and returned to the ship 
without discovery. He came with great 
caution under the ship's bows, and hailed 
his fellow- worker in iniquity, whom he ex- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 73 

pected to find ready with a rope to hoist the 
calf on board. 

It so happened that, just at this time, our 
first heuten'ant, Mr. Little, had occasion to 
come on deck, and the fellow, who had been 
watching for the arrival of Cramps, dodged 
out of sight and secreted himself. Cramps, 
mistaking the lieutenant for his coadjutor, 
hailed him in a low tone, requesting him to 
lower a rope as quick as possible. The lieu- 
tenant, suspecting some mischief, did as he 
was directed. 

Cramps soon fixed a noose round the 
calf s neck, and then cried out, " Now haul 
away, blast your eyes ! my back is almost 
broke with carrying the creature so far 
down to the boat." The lieutenant obeyed, 
and a strong pull on his part, with some 
boosting by Cramps in the rear, soon 
brought the animal upon deck. Cramps 
immediately followed his prize, and found, 
to his no small consternation, not only the 
calf, but himself in the powerful grasp of 
the lieutenant. The calf was alive and un- 
injured, although Cramps had carried him 
a considerable distance from the barn to the 
7 



TA REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

):oat, and came very near choking him 
tvhen hoisting him up the side of the ship. 

The calf enjoyed more comfortable quar- 
ters that night than his captor ; for the latter 
was handcuffed, and secured below for far- 
ther punishment the next day. In the 
morning, the calf and the culprit were sent 
on shore, and, when landed. Cramps was 
ordered to shoulder the calf and march to 
the farmer, confess, and ask his forgiveness; 
and then to return on board with the conso- 
lation that he should receive fifty lashes for 
his fault, and the assurance that he should 
be hung at the yard-arm if he was detected 
in such an undertaking again. 

The result of this expedition proved 
Cramps to be the greater calf of the two. 

The fifty lashes were remitted at the soli- 
citation of the kind-hearted farmer. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 7S 



CHAPTER V. 

Our repairs being completed, and all 
things ready for sea, we weighed anchor 
about the last of June, and steered once more 
for the banks of Newfoundland, where we 
cruised three or four weeks, without meet- 
ing anything excepting a brig from the 
West Indies bound to Boston, commanded 
by Capt. Thomas Parker. The provisions 
of the ship beginning to fail, and no prospect 
of making captures appearing, our captain, 
with the advice of his officers, concluded to 
steer for Boston. We hove to, and caught a 
considerable quantity of cod-fish, then di- 
rected our course for Halifax, off which we 
cruised for several days. 

At noon of the fourth day after , our arri- 
val, the man on the look-out at the mast- 
head gave notice of a sail on our larboard 
quarter. 

Mr. Little ascended to the mizen top to 
examine the object of the sailor's report with 



76 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

his spy-glass. He ascertained to his satis- 
faction that the strange sail was a ship 
directing her course towards us. All hands 
were piped on deck; the ship was put ahout, 
and we made sail for the strange sail. The 
two ships approached each other rapidly; 
and it was soon evident to our officers that 
she was a frigate of large burthen.* We 
afterwards ascertained that these conjec- 
tures were true, as she was a frigate from 
Halifax bound to New York. 

Captain Williams thought it would be 
imprudent to risk an action with an enemy 
so much his superior in force ; he therefore 
gave orders to put the ship about, and crowd 
all sail, that we might get from the enemy 
as fast as possible. The enemy gained 
upon us rapidly, as she was fresh from port, 
and her bottom coppered; while ours, not 
liaving any copper, was extremely foul, in 
consequence of our long cruise, and our pro- 
gress was greatly retarded. 

At five o'clock in the evening, the enemy 
had approached so near as to give us several 
salutes with her bow guns, which compli- 
ment we did not hesitate to return with two 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 77 

eighteen pounders from our cabin windows^ 
and a couple of sixes from the quarter deck. 
An eighteen pound shot was lodged in our 
main rr.ast; this was all the damage we 
received. We resorted to all the usual 
methods to increase our progress, such as 
wetting the sails, shifting the position of the 
guns, (fee., not forgetting to make all the use 
we could of our stern chases, lest the enemy 
might think we slighted the compliments 
they sent us from the bow guns. 

About sun-set, the enemy rounded to, and 
gave us two broadsides, by way of parting ; 
lor which we paid due acknowledgments 
from our cabin windows and quarter-deck, 
and she gave up the chase. For this last 
act of courtesy we felt more grateful than 
for any she had shown us ; and we immedi- 
ately got our guns into their proper places, 
and everything in readiness for an action 
which we anticipated having the next morn- 
ing. 

We continued to crowd sail all night, and 
the next morning could just discern the 
enemy at a great distance, steering in an 
opposite direction 



78 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

We thought at the time we were fortunate 
in escaping; but we afterwards felt some 
regret that we had avoided an action ; for, 
although she was a six-and-thirty-gnn fri- 
gate, she was poorly manned, and was 
bound to New York to complete her number 
of men ; and the result of an action would 
probably have been in our favor. , Had she 
been fully manned, she would have perse- 
vered in the chase, and we should probably 
have been taken, as many of our men were 
sick. 

In a few days we came in sight of Boston 
lighthouse and anchored in Nantasket roads, 
where we remained a short time, then stood 
up the harbor, and hauled in at Hancock's 
wharf The sails were unbent, the sick 
landed, the ship unloaded, and all hands, 
who were not disposed to enlist for a second 
cruise, Avere paid off and discharged. 

Thus ended my first cruise in the Protec- 
tor. And, although I had not added to my 
wealth, I had gained some knowledge of a 
sailor's life, and felt disposed to try my 
fortune a little more in the like manner by 
enlisting for a second voyage. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 79 

During the short interval between my 
first and second cruise, while I was at home, 
my father was taken sick and died. The 
loss of a kind parent is, under any circum- 
stances, a melancholy bereavement, and this 
was particularly so to my mother and her 
eight children, some of whom were very 
young. 

Though unwilling to leave her in her 
affliction, I felt the necessity of exerting 
myself, that I might contribute something to 
the maintenance of the family, who were 
left very destitute. I knew of no way in 
which there was a prospect of my being so 
useful to them, as that of engaging for 
another cruise. 

A rendezvous was opened; a recruiting 
party paraded the streets under the Ameri- 
can flag, accompanied by a band of martial 
music, and the excitement usual on such 
occasions. Amid loud huzzas for liberty 
and independence, sailors fell rapidly into 
our ranks, and our complement of men was 
obtained in a short time. 

In the mean time our ship was thoroughly 
overhauled, her bottom scraped, rigging re- 



80 EETOLUTIONAEY ADTENTURES 

paired, and everything was done to put hef 
into perfect order. Wood and v/ater, and 
various kinds of stores necessary for a cruise 
of six months, were taken onboard; and, 
having recruited about two hundred men, 
preparations were made for our immediate 
departure. 

About the last of October, our boats were 
hoisted on deck and secured, and we dropped 
down into Nantasket roads, wliere we re- 
mained a few days, and then set sail upon 
our second cruise. We cleared Cape Cod 
the first of November; directed our course 
for Halifax, off which we cruised a few 
days, then steered for the Grand Banks. 
Wc arrived there, and cruised about for 
three weeks, and, not discovering any of the 
enemy's vessels, we directed our course to 
the West Indies, and arrived off the islands, 
where we cruised for some time. 

Finding it necessary to obtain a supply of 
water, we put into St. Pierre, in the island 
of Martinico, for that purpose; after which 
we steered towards Dominica, an island 
north of Martinico. The next morning wo 
espied an l^iglish sloop sailing to leeward 



OF EEENEZER FOX. 81 

of US close under the land. "We gave chase, 
and soon came up with her. Our captain 
sent an officer and some men on hoard, and 
took possession of her. 

We then bore away with our prize for St. 
Juan,* in the island of Porto Rico, where 
our captain disposed of the sloop and cargo, 
part of which consisted of fourteen Negroes, 
who were sold to the Spaniards. 

We then continued our cruise ; and in a 
few days fell in with an English schooner, 
which we took; putting some men and a 
prize-master on board, ordered her for 
Boston, where she arrived in safety. 

After cruising for some time, and not fall- 
ing in with anything, our captain concluded 
to leave the West India seas and steer for 
the southern coast of the United States. 

We arrived off the bar of Charleston, 
South Carolina ; and in the course of a few 
days fell in with a ship called the Polly, a 
letter-of-marque, of twenty guns, bound to 
London. We gave chase late in the after- 
noon, and. as it soon grew dark, we lest 
sight of her. 

* CommonljT called St, John. 



82 RETOLUTIOXAEY ADVEXTrRES 

A thunder storm came on. and all hands 
vere watching for her ; and by the flashes 
of the hghtning we at length discovered her, 
standing in a diflferent direction from what 
we had at first seen her pursuing. We 
accordingly shifted our course, and crowded 
sail in pursuit. By the aid of the lightning, 
we kept in her course, and soon came up 
with her. 

''What ship is that, and where from?" 
roared our lieutenant through his trumpet, 
in a voice that bore no slight resemblance to 
the thunder which rolled above our heads. 
" The ship Polly, from Charleston, bound to 
London," was the reply. The lightning, 
flashing upon her colors, showed that they 
were English; while the enemy had the 
same means of seeing the American flag fly- 
ing at our mast-head. 

Wc were completely prepared for action ; 
the matches were lighted ; the lanterns burn- 
mg fore and aft; and all anxiously waiting 
for the commands of the ofliccrs. One shot 
was fired, and our captain ordered the 
ciKiniy to "Haul down his colors, or he 
would blow liiui out of the water." 



The appeaiaaee of ovr 
liable, our csL^^Hakts 
euMpiiedwitfa. Oor boat was knrcnd, aad 
a prize-nnsier and aev pot oi lioaid, 
took poneanon o€ the dBpi,aad liie 
•fdend ibr Boston. 

Shortly after, we steoed ibr INev Tork^ 
and amred c^ Sandy Hoi^ in d^ ipi a ft 
Afiier crmsii^ here neaiij a vedc, oae 
mondDg the man at ■wtt hrad cned ant, 
'^A sail upon die laiboaid qnaztec" Mr, 
littie aacfnded to die fopt and, after ex* 

be abrig stan^ng m ibr ^levTociL We 
iM n pdhtrfy ^Tedase,caaeiy 
aaid ofdeved ho- to faeaTe to dB i 
lezid a boat akmg^ndp- Sie 

ing hex ciew on board of onr abif^ pnt a 
^ juB-maatQ- and crev on board of tlie bn^ 
and ordoed faer £m^ Boston. 

Wbile we wcr naming tbe pni^ As 
■an at die wrrif hrad save Bodee of ^A 
SLxl on Ae larboard bows.^ 

, snit, and saon cane ak 
Sbe proved Id be a 



84 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

New York. We took from her a quantity 
of bread, cheese, and porter. 

Captain Williams held consultation with 
his oflicers respecting what course it was 
best to pursue ; and they came to the con- 
clusion, that it would not be prudent to 
remain any longer cruising off Sandy Hook, 
lest we should meet some of the British 
frigates, of too great force for us to contend 
with. Our prizes being in sight, signals 
were made for them to approach. The brig 
we took in tow and ordered the schooner to 
keep in company. We now made sail for 
Boston, with a fair wind, and anticipated the 
pleasure of sharing a considerable sum of 
prize money on our arrival. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 85 



CHAPTER VI. 

Our cruise thus far had been prosperous, 
and we thought the " evil day was afar off/' 
We continued merrily on our course, with- 
out seeing friend or foe, during the next 
day; but, the following morning, the man 
at the mast-head cried out, "Two sail to 
the leeward." Mr. Little ascended to the 
main top with his glass, and soon ascer- 
tained that they were two large ships, 
closely hauled upon the wind, in full chase 
of us. The brig we had in tow was quickly 
cast off, and she and the schooner were 
ordered to make the best progress they 
could. Our yards were braced, and all sail 
crowded that the ship could carry. 

The chase continued, without gaining 
much upon us till about noon, when, the 
wind shifting, they fell, into our wake, and 
gained upon us very fast. 

A few days previous to this, we had fallen 
in with a brig from Havana for Boston, 
8 



86 REVOLUTIONARY ADVExNTURES 

commanded by Captain Cunningham, hav- 
ing a large quantity of specie on board. 

Captain C, thinking that the money 
would be more safe on board of an armed 
ship, requested it as a favor of Captain Wil- 
liams to receive it on board. Captain 
Cunningham arrived with his brig in safety; 
but, to his regret as well as ours, his money 
fell into the hands of the enemy. 

The ships in pursuit showed French 
colors, while we had the American flag fly- 
ing. 

They appeared to gain upon us, and the 
prospect was, that they would soon over- 
take us. 

Our captain, calling all the hands aft on 
the quarter deck, expressed his, opinion, that 
the ships in pursuit of us were English, and 
that we should be captured. 

He then distributed among us the money 
which he had received for safe keeping, in 
sums of fifteen dollars to each, upon condi- 
tion tliat it should be returned to him if we 
were so fortunate as to escape. 

It was now nearly sun-set, and the enemy 
were gainhig upon us rapidly. They had 



OF EBENEZER FOJ. 87 

jxchanged their French for Enghsh colors, 
:hus endmg our hopes and doubts respect- 
ng their character. Our capture was now 
considered no longer problematical ; and, 
)eing unwilling that the stores, especially 
)f crackers, cheese, and porter, should fall 
I prey to the appetite of the enemy, and not 
mowing when we should have an opportu 
lity of enjoying such luxuries again, 1 
nvited about a dozen of my friends into the 
Jtore room, where we exerted ourselves to 
iiminish the quantity of this part of the 
Drize which we thought would shortly be in 
Dossession of the enemy. The porter made 
is cheerful if not happy, and having eat and 
irank to our satisfaction, we shook hands as 
Tiends soon to part, uncertain when we 
>hould meet again, and returned on deck 
ivithout our absence having been noticed. 

We found that the two ships had got up 
vvith us. They proved to be the Roe-Buck, 
I forty-gun ship with a double deck, and the 
\Iay-Day, of twenty-eight guns. 

They had been upon the Jook-out for us 
br three or four weeks; having received 
Information from the Tories in Boston that 



88 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

we were expected to return from our cruise 
about this time. 

The Roe-Buck took her station on our 
^arboard quarter, the May-Day on our lar- 
board bow, and sent an eighteen-pound shot 
over our quarter deck. We were then 
ordered to strike our colors, or a broadside 
would be sent to enforce compliance with 
the demand. 

To attempt resistance against a force so 
much our superior would have been un- 
justifiable; and the flag of thirteen stars 
and stripes, under which we had sailed 
with much satisfaction and success, was 
reluctantly pulled down ; and this was the 
unfortunate end of our second cruise. 

The boats of the enemy were manned, 
and sent alongside of our ship. Our crew 
were now permitted by our ofiicers to col- 
lect their clothing and their litde property 
together, and secure them in the best manner 
they could. 

By this time, the boats had arrived along 
side, and the enemy had ascended the deck. 

Their first exploit was to strike or kick 
every sailor that came in their way, bestow- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 89 

ing a variety of opprobrious epithets, among 
which "damned rebels" was of the most 
frequent recurrence ; then they commenced 
searching in every part . of the ship for 
articles of value. 

Our crew were ordered to pass down the 
side of the ship into the enemy's boats ; but 
were forbidden to carry anything with them. 
Some of our crew fastened their bedding 
upon their backs, and tumbled themselves 
head foremost down into the boats ; and, as 
it was quite dark, they would unperceived 
get into the cuddy with their bedding, trust- 
ing to future circumstances for opportunity 
to use or secrete it. 

We arrived alongside, and were ordered 
on to the quarter deck of our captors. Some 
English sailor among our crew, to recom- 
mend himself to the favor of the British 
captain, had given information respecting 
the money we had secreted about our per- 
sons. The sergeant of arms was ordered to 
search every one of us till the sum of fifteen 
dollars was found upon each of us. 

Such was the art which some had exer- 
cised in hiding the money, that they were 



90 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Stripped entirely naked before it was found, 
One fellow had secreted his share so effect- 
ually, that it baffled all the seaiching- 
operations to find it; and the officer, being J] 
confident that the fellow had it about him, 
took the satisfaction of giving him a tremen- 
dous kick in the rear by way of conclusion, 
roaring out at the same time, "Away with 
you, you damned rebel,* into the hold." 

In the capacity of cabin steward f I was 
most of the time in the cabin, and had 
recommended myself to the favorable notice 
of the American captain by performing my 
duties to his satisfaction : and, when the 
money was distributed among our crew, the 
captain gave me a double share. I put 
fifteen dollars in the crown of my hat, which 
I pressed down upon my head as closely as 
possible ; the remaining fifteen I placed in 
my shoes, between the soles. 

* My apology for occasionally repeating buch profane expres- 
sions is, that the young readers may know to what insulting 
and contemptuous language their forefathers were exposed 
while contending with a haughty foe, for liberty and indepen- 
dence. 

+ Soon after we had commenced our cruise, I was called 
upon to officiate as cabin steward in the place of one who had 
performed his duties in a manner unsatisfactory to the cap* 
tain. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 91 

At length my turn to be searched came ; 
and I, as the rest of my fellow-prisoners had 
done, denied having any money. This 
assertion, however, did not avail ; I was 
seized by the collar, and shaken so violently 
that my hat fell off, and the dollars rolled 
out upon the deck. The sum of fifteen dol- 
lars being found, it was concluded that I 
had no more, and I was sent into the ship's 
hold, where I found those of the crew who 
had been previously searched. A consider- 
able number of us contrived, by various 
stratagems, to save our money, for dollars 
were found to be quite plentiful among us 
for some time after our capture ; and they 
proved a great convenience, as money gen- 
erally does among friends or foes. 

Our accommodations in the hold were not 
very desirable, especially to those who had 
not succeeded in getting their bedding into 
that place. We found nothing to lie upon 
softer than the ship's ballast, consisting of 
stones of all shapes and sizes, with here and 
there a lump of pig iron by way of variety; 
and the water casks, which afforded a sur- 
face rathor uneven for the comfort and con- 
venience of our weary limbs. 



92 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Here we spent the first night, and wer© 
not allowed to go on deck till the next 
morning. 

The Roe-Buck had the charge of the 
prisoners, while the May- Day was sent in 
pursuit of the two prizes we had in posses- 
sion at the time of our capture. 

Greatly to our satisfaction, however, she 
was unable to overhaul them, and they 
both arrived in safety in Boston a few days 
after. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Shortly after, we anchored off Sandy 
Hook, and preparations were made to exam- 
ine the prisoners, to ascertain what part of 
them were EngUshmen ; or rather, who 
among them would carry the appearance of 
able-bodied seamen. 

We were called up from the hold ; ordered 
to the larboard side of the quarter deck; 
thence marched, in single file, past a number 
of British officers on the starboard side ; after 
that to the gangway, and down again into 
the hold. The object of thus moving in 
procession before the officers was, to give 
them an opportunity to select such as they 
chose, to serve on board of their ships. 
With fear and trembling we passed through 
this examination. Whenever a healthy, 
athletic-looking man passed by, he was 
hailed, and accused of being an English- 
man. In vain would his comrades attest to 
the fact of his being a native-born American; 
tell the place of his birth and the circum- 



94 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Stances of his youth, detailed with all the 
consistency and connexion which belong to 
truth ; it was all to no purpose. Sailors 
they wanted, and have them they would, if 
they set law and gospel at defiance. In this 
manner was many an American citizen, in 
the morning of life, dragged from his coun- 
try, his friends, and his home; forced on 
board a ship of war; compelled to fight 
against his own country ; and, if he hved, 
to fight in battle with other nations, against 
whom he had no feelings of hostility. Many 
a one spent his whole life in foreign service, 
far from his native land, while his relatives 
were ignorant of his fate, till, worn out with 
toil and wounds, a shadow of his former 
self, he dropped into the grave unpitied and 
unknown. 

About a third part of our ship's crew were 
taken on board of their vessels, to serve in 
the capacity of sailors, without regarding 
their remonstrances ; while the remainder of 
us were put on board of a wood coaster, to 
be conveyed on board the noted prison ship 
called the " Jersey." The idea of being in- 
carcerated in this floating Pandemonium 
filled us with horror j but the idea we had 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 95 

formed of Us horrors fell far short of the 
realities which we afterwards experienced. 
We wished, if possible, to avoid the hard fate 
that awaited us ; and conceived the design 
of rising upon the guard, and seizing upon 
the sloop, and running her aground upon the 
Jersey shore. The plan could have been 
easily executed had there been any one 
among us to act as a leader in the enterprise. 
Our captain with his officers were con- 
lined in the cabin, under the watchful care 
)f a number of British officers well arirued ; 
while a guard of soldiers stood at the head 
of the companion way, to prevent any com- 
munication with the prisoners upon the 
deck. Sailors and soldiers have the courage 
to execute, but not the skill to plan. 

Had our captain, in whom we had been 
m the habit of placing the utmost confi- 
dence, been with us, I have no doubt we 
should have obtained our freedom. 

As the deck was loaded with wood, we 
could in a moment have obtained weapons 
sufficient for our purpose, and, had any one 
amongst us been disposed to act as a leader, 
we should soon have had possession of the 



96 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

vessel. We afterwards regretted exceedingly 
that we did not make the attempt. 

We proceeded slowly up the river towards 
our much-dreaded place of confinement, and 
at doubling a point we came in sight of the 
gloomy-looking hulk of the old Jersey, apdy 
named by the sailors, " The hell afloat." 
The Jersey was originally a seventy-four 
gun ship, and, at the commencement of the 
American revolution, being found in a state 
of decay and unfit for service at sea, she 
was dismantled, moored in the East-river at 
New York, and used as a store-ship. In the 
year 1780, she was converted into a prison- 
ship, and continued to be used for that pur- 
pose during the remainder of the war. 

In consequence of the fears that were 
entertained that the sickness, which pre- 
vailed among the prisoners, might spread to 
the shore, she was removed, aiid moored 
with chain cables at the Wallabout, a lonely 
and unfrequented place on the shore of Long 
Island. Her external appearance was for- 
bidding and gloomy. She was dismantled, 
her only spars were tlie bowsprit; a derrick, 
that looked like a gallows, for hoisting sup- 
plies on board ; and a flag-staff at the stem* 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 97 

^ The port-holes were closed and secured. 
Two tiers of holes were cut through her 
sides, about two feet square and about ten 
feet apart, strongly guarded by a grathig of 
iron bars. 

Such was the appearance of the Jersey, as 
we approached it ; an appearance well calcu- 

, la ted to excite the most gloomy forebodings 

, of the treatment we should receive after we 
should have become its inmates. The idea 
of being a prisoner in such a place was 
sufficient to fill the mind with grief and dis- 
tress. The heart sickened, the cheek grew 
pale with the thought. Our destiny was 

; before us, and there was no alternative but 
to submit. 

The sloop anchored at a little distance 
from the Jersey, and two boats were sent 
alongside to receive us. 

The boats passed and re-passed several 
times before all of us got on board; and 
lastly the captain's barge was sent to convey 
our officers to their place of confinement. 
Not a great while after we were imprisoned 
our captain, together with the lieutenant and 
the sailing-master, Mr. Lemon, were sent to 
9 



98 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Efigland; the latter, being an Englishman, 
aad the comfortable assurance, that he 
should be hanged as soon as he arrived.* * i 

*How long our officers remained in England I have no 
means for information. Captain Williams I found in Boston 
«-hen I returned. 

On the adoption of the federal constitution by Massachusetts, 
February, 17S8, the event was celebrated in Boston by a civic 
procession, in which, I believe, the great mass of the citizens 
participated, classed into trades and occupations. Each pro- 
fession or art on this occasion was headed by appropriate flags 
and banners, bearing its respective coat of arms and emblems, 
accompanied m most cases with implements of agricultural, 
manufacturing, and mechanical industry and skill in full oper- 
ation. Among the most conspicuous of these, the mariners 
had mounted a ship on wheels, which was drawn through the 
streets by 13 white horses, the then number of the United 
States. The ship was manned by veteran sea-captains and 
weather-beaten sailors, throwing the lead, reefing the sails, 
waving the thirteen stripes and stars, and at intervals firing 
salutes from a 3-pounder, under the command of John Foster 
Williams, our late captain, who, as I have heard, stood on the 
quarter deck with a speaking-trumpet in his hand, dressed in 
continental regimentals. A song, to the tune of " Yankee 
Doodle," appeared among other poetical productions in the 
newspapers of the day, one verse of which was in these 

words : — 

" John Foster Williams in a ship, 

Join'd with the social band, sir. 
And made the lasses dance and skip, 
To see him sail on land, sir. 
Yankee doodle," &c. 
I believe it was at this time, whilst the procession was pass- 
ing through High street, between Summer street and Fed'cral 
street, (till then called Long lane,) the ship was interrupted 



oF EBENEZER FOX. 99 

After being detained in the boats along- 
side a little while, we were ordered to 
ascend to the upper deck of the prison ship. 
Here our names were registered, and the 
capacity in which we had served previous 
to our capture. Bach of us was permitted 
to retain whatever clothing and bedding we 
had brought, after having been examined to 
ascertain that they contained no weapons 
nor money ; and then we were directed to 
pass through a strong door, on the starboard 
side, down a ladder leading to the main 
hatchway. I now found myself in a loath- 
some prison, among a collection of the most 
wretched and disgusting looking objects that 
I ever beheld in human form. 

Here was a motley crew, covered with 
rags and filth : visages pallid with disease, 
emaciated with hunger and anxiety, and 
retaining hardly a trace of their original 

and entangled by a tree in the street, which was finally cut 
down to give free passage to the tars in their novel vehicle. 

Captain Williams was appointed by Gen. Washington to 
the command of a revenue cutter in 1790, which office he held 
to the time of his death. 

He was distinguished for his courage, prudence, and hu- 
manity, and rendered his country good and faithful service. 

He died in Williams street, Boston, June 24th, 1814, aged 71 , 



100 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

appearance. Here were men, who had once 
enjoyed life while riding over the mountain 
wave or roaming through pleasant fields, 
full of health and vigor, now shriveled by a 
scanty and unwholesome diet, ghastly with 
inhaling an impure atmosphere, exposed 
to contagion, in contact with disease, and 
surrounded with the horrors of sickness and 
death. Here, thought I, must I linger out 
the morning of my life, in tedious days and 
sleepless nights, enduring a weary and 
degrading captivity, till death shall termi- 
nate my sufferings, and no friend will know 
of my departure. A prisoner on board of 
" the old Jersey ! " The very thought was 
appalling. I could hardly realize my situa- 
tion. 

The first thing we found it necessary to 
do after our captivity was to form ourselves 
into small parties, called ''messes,'" consist- 
ing of six men each ; as, previous to doing 
this, we could obtain no food. All the 
prisoners were obliged to fast on the first 
day of their arrival; and seldom on the 
second could they procure any food in sea- 
son for cooking it. No matter how hungry 
they were, no deviation from the rules of < 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 101 

the ship^vas permitted. All the prisoners 
fared alike ; officers and sailors received the 
same treatment on board of this old hulk. 
Our keepers were no respecters of persons. 
We' were all "rebels." The quantity and 
quality of our fare was the same for all. 
The only distinction known among us was 
made by the prisoners themselves, which 
was shown in allowing those, who had been 
officers previous to their capture, to congre- 
gate in the extreme after-part of the ship, 
and to keep it exclusively to themselves as 
their places of abode. 

The various messes of the prisoners were 
numbered ; and nine in the morning was the 
hour when the steward would deliver from 
the window in his room, at the after-part of 
the ship, the allowance granted to each 
mess. Each mess chose one of their com- 
pany to be prepared to answer to their num- 
ber when it was called by the steward, and 
to receive the allowance as it was handed 
from the window. Whatever was thrust 
out must be taken; no change could be 
made in its quantity or quality. Each mess 
received daily what was equivalent in 
9* 






103 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

weight or measure, but not in quality, to the 
rations of four men at full allowance : that 
is, each prisoner received two thirds as muchi 
as was allowed to a seaman in the British'* 
navy. 

Our bill of fare was as follows : 

On Sunday, one pound of biscuit, one 
pound of pork, and half a pint of peas. 
Monday, one pound of biscuit, one pint of 
oat-meal, and two ounces of butter. Tues- 
day, one pound of biscuit, and two pound 
of salt beef Wednesday, one and a half 
pounds of flour, and two ounces of suet 
Thursday was a repetition of Sunday's fare, 
Friday of Monday's, and Saturday of Tues- 
day's. 

If this food had been of a good quality 
and properly cooked, as we had no labor to 
perform, it would have kept us comfortable, 
at least from suffering. But this was not 
the case. All our food appeared to be 
damaged. 

The bread was mouldy, and filled with 
V7orms. It required considerable rapping 
upon the deck before the worms could be 
dislodged from their lurking places in a 
biscuit. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 103 

As for the pork, we were cheated out of it 
snore than half of the time : and, when it 
was obtained, one would have judged from 
its motley hues, exhibiting the consistence 
and appearance of variegated fancy soap, 
that it was the flesh of the porpoise, or sea- 
hog, and had been an inhabitant of the 
ocean rather than of the sty. But, what- 
ever doubts might arise respecting the genera 
or species of the beast, the flavor of the flesh 
was so unsavory that it would have been 
rejected as unfit for the stuffing even of 
Bologna sausages. 

The peas were generally damaged, and, 
from the imperfect manner in which they 
were cooked, were about as indigestible as 
grape-shot. The butter the reader will not 
suppose was the real " Goshen;" and had it 
not been for its adhesive properties to retain 
together the particles of the biscuit, that had 
been so riddled by the worms as to lose all 
their attraction of cohesion, we should have 
considered it no desirable addition to our 
viands. 

The flour and the oat-meal were often 
fiour, and when the suet was mixed with it, 
we should have considered it a blessing to 



104 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

have been destitute of the sense of smelling 
before we admitted it into our mouths : it 
might be nosed half the length of the ship. 

And last, though not the least item among 
our staples in the eating line — our beef. 
The nrst view of it would excite an idea of 
veneration for its antiquity, and not a little 
curiosity to ascertain to what kind of an 
animal it originally belonged. Its color was 
of dark mahogany; and its solidity would 
have set the keen edge of a broad-axe at 
defiance to cut across the grain, though, like 
oakum, it cotlld be pulled into pieces one 
way in strings, like rope-yarn. A streak of 
fat in it would have been a phenomenon, 
that would have brought all the prisoners 
together to see and admire. It was so com- 
pletely saturated with salt, that, after hav- 
ing been boiled in water taken from the sea, 
it was found to be considerably freshened by 
the process. It was no uncommon thing to 
find it extremely tender ; but then this pecu- 
liarity was not owing to its being a prime 
cut from a premium ox, but rather owmg to 
its long keeping — the vicissitudes of heat 
and cold, of humidity and aridity it had 
experienced in the course of time : and of 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 105 

this disposition to tenderness we were duly 
apprized by the extraordinary fragrance it 
emitted before and after it was cooked. It 
required more skill than we possessed to 
determine whether the flesh, which we were 
obliged to devour, had once covered the 
bones of some luckless bull that had died 
from starvation ; or of some worn-out horse 
that had been killed for the crime of having 
outlived his usefulness. 

Such was our food. But the quality of 
it was not all that we had reason to com- 
plain of. The manner in which it was 
cooked was more injurious to our health, 
than the quality of the food ; and, in many 
cases, laid the foundation of diseases, that 
brought many a sufferer to his grave, years 
after his liberation. 

The cooking for the prisoners was done in 
a great copper vessel, that contained be- 
tween two an three hogsheads of water, set 
m brick work. The form of it was square, 
^nd it was divided into two compartments 
by a partition. In one of these, the peas 
and oat-meal were boiled ; this was done in 
fyesh water: in the other, th*? meat was 



106 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

boiled in salt water, taken up from along- 
side of the ship. ^ 

The Jersey, from her size and lying near^ 
the shore, was imbedded in the mud ; and I4 
do not recollect seeing her afloat during the| 
whole time I was a prisoner.* All the filth 
that accumulated among upwards of a thou- 
sand men was daily thrown overboard, and 
would remain there till carried away by the 
tide. The impurity of the water may be 
easily conceived; and in this water our 
meat was boiled. 

It will be recollected, too, that the water 
was salt, which caused the inside of the 
copper to become corroded to such a degree 
that it was lined with a coat of verdigris. 
Meat thus cooked must in some degree be 
poisoned; and the effects of it were manifest 
in the cadaverous countenances of the ema- 
ciated beings, who had remained on board, 
for any length of time. 

The persons, chosen by each mess to re- 
ceive their portions of food, were summoned 
by the cook's bell to receive their allowance, 
and, when it had remained in the boiler a 

♦The tides in New York do not generally rise or fall aboW 
two or three feet. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 107 

certain time, the bell would again sound, and 
the allowance must be immediately taken 
awa-y : whether it was sufficiently cooked, 
or not, it could remain no longer. The food 
was generally very imperfectly cooked ; yet 
this sustenance, wretched as it was, and 
deficient in quantity, was greedily devoured 
by the half-starved prisoners. 

No vegetables were allowed us. Many 
times since, when I have seen in the coun- 
try, a large kettle of potatoes and pumpkins 
steaming over the fire to satisfy the appetites 
of a farmer's swine, I have thought of our 
destitute and starved condition, and what a 
luxury we should have considered the con- 
tents of that kettle on board the Jersey. 

The prisoners were confined in the two 
main decks below. The lowest dungeon 
was inhabited by those prisoners who were 
foreigners, and whose treatment was more 
severe than that of the Americans. 

The inhabitants of this lower region were 
the moLit miserable and disgusting-looking 
objects that can be conceived. Daily wash- 
ing with salt water, together with their 
extreme emaciation, caused their skin to 
appear like dried parchment. Many of 



108 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

them remained unwashed for weeks ; theii 
hair long and matted, and filled with ver- 
min; their beards never cut, excepting occa- 
sionally with a pair of shears, which did not, 
improve their comeliness, though it might' 
add to their comfort. Their clothes were 
mere rags, secured to their bodies in every 
way that ingenuity could devise. 

Many of these men had been in this lam- 
entable condition for two years, part of the 
time on board other prison-ships ; and, having 
given up all hope of ever being exchanged, 
had become resigned to their situation. 
These men were foreigners, whose whole 
lives had been one continual scene of toi^ 
hardship, and suffering. Their feeling 
were biUnted, their dispositions soured ;• they 
had no sympathies for the world ; no home 
to mourn for ; no friends to lament for their 
fate. 

But far different was the condition of the. 
most numerous class of the prisoners, com- 
posed mostly of young men from New Eng- 
land, fresh from home. 

They had reason to deplore the sudden 
change in their condition. The thoughts 
of home, of parents, brothers, sisters, and 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 109 

friends, would crowd upon their minds ; and, 
' brooding on what they had been, and what 
they were, their desire for home became 
a madness." The dismal and disgustmg 
scene around; the wretched objects con- 
tinually in sightj and '' hope deferred, which 
maketh the heart sick," produced a state ot 
melancholy, that often ended in death — tne 
death of a broken heart. 

*' O ye ! who, sunk in beds of down, 
Feel not a want but what yourselves create 
Think, for a moment, on his wretched fate, 
Whom friends and fortune quite disown. 
Ill-satisfied keen nature's clam'rous call, 
Stretched on his straw, he lays himself to sleep. . , . 
Think on the dungeon's grim confine, 

Where guilt and poor misfortune pine 

The wretch, already crushed low 
By cruel fortune's undeserved blow." 

In the morning, the prisoners were per- 
mitted to ascend the upper deck, to spend 
the day, till ordered below at sunset. A 
certain number, who were for the time called 
the "working party," performed in rotation 
the duty of bringing up hammocks and bed- 
ding for airing, likewise the sick and infirm, 
and the bodies of those who had died during 
the night: of these there were generally a 
10 



•110 REVOI.tTTIONARY ADVENTURES 

number every morning. After these services 
it was their duty to wash the decks. Uui 
beds and clothing were allowed to remain on 
deck till we were ordered below for the 
night ; this was of considerable benefit, as it 
gave some of the vermin an opportunity 
to migrate from the quarters they had in- 
habited. 01 
About two hours before sunset, orders 
were given to the prisoners to carry all their 
things below; but we were permitted to 
remain above till we retired for the night 
into our unhealthy and crowded dungeons. 
At sunset, our ears were saluted with the 
insulting and hateful sound from our keep- 
ers, of " Down, rebels, down," and we were 
hurried below, the hatchways fastened over 
us, and we were left to pass the night amid 
the accumulated horrors of sighs and groans, 
of foul vapor, a nauseous and putrid atmos- 
phere, in a stifled and almost suflbcating 
heat. The tiers of holes through the sides 
of the ship were strongly grated, but not 
provided with glass ; and it was considered | 
a privilege to sleep near one of these aper-i 
tures in hot weather for the pure air thatl 
passed in at them. But little sleep, however J 



OF EBENEZER FOX. ^ 111 

eould be enjoyed even there ; for the vermin 
were jso horribly abundant, that all the per- 
sonal cleanliness we could practise would 
not protect us from their attacks, or prevent 
their effecting a lodgment upon us. 

When any of the prisoners died in the 
Might, their bodies were brought to the upper 
leck in the morning, and placed upon the 
gratings. If the deceased had owned a 
blanket, any prisoner might sew it around 
the corpse, and then it was lowered with a 
rope, tied round the middle, down the side 
of the ship into a boat. Some of the prison- 
ers were allowed to go on shore, under a 
guard, to perform the labor of interment. 
Having arrived on shore, they found in a 
small hut some tools for digging, and a 
hand-barrow on which the body was con- 
veyed to the place for burial. 

Here in a bank near the Wallabout, a 
hole was excavated in the sand, in which the 
body was put, and then slightly covered ; 
the guard not giving time sufficient to per- 
form this melancholy service in a faithful 
manner. Many bodies would, in a few days 
after this mockery of a burial, be exposed 
» '^^rly bare bv the action of the elements. 



112 RE-VOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

** By feeble hands their shallow graves were made: 
No stone, memorial oi" their corpses, laid. 
In barren sands, and far from home, they lie, 
No friend to shed a tear when passing by ; 
O'er the mean tombs insulting foemen tread ; 
Spurn at the sand, and curse the rebel dead." 

This was the last resting place of many a 
son and a brother; young and noble-spirited 
men, who had left their happy homes and 
kind friends to offer their lives in the service 
of their country ; but they little thought of 
such a termination to their active career; 
they had not expected to waste their energies 
in this dreadful prison. 

Poor fellows! they suffered more than 
their older companions in misery. They 
could not endure the hopeless and wearisome 
captivity ; to live on from day to day, denied 
the power of doing anything; condemned to 
that irksome and heart-sickening of all situ- 
ations, utter inactivity ; their restless and 
impetuous spirits, like caged lions, panted to 
be free, and the conflict was too much for 
endurance, enfeebled and worn out as they 
were with suffering and confinement. 

"Denied the comforts of a dying bed. 
With not a pillow to support the head ; 
How could they else but pine, and grieve and Sigh, 
Detest that wretched life, and wish to die ? " 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 113 

It was a painful task for the prisoners to 
carry, to this unconsecrated hurial place, the 
bodies of those who had been their compan- 
ions for months perhaps, and who were 
endeared to them by their love for the same 
glorious cause, and the same feeling of 
resentment towards their unmanly oppres- 
sors. 

The fate of many of these unhappy 
victims must have remained forever un- 
known to their friends; for, in so large a 
number, no exact account could be kept of 
those who died, and they rested in a name- 
less grave ; while those, who performed the 
last sad rites, were hurried away before 
their task was half completed, and forbidden 
to express their horror and indignation at 
this insulting negUgence toward the dead. 

But the emotions, thus suppressed, only 
glowed the more intensely within their 
bosoms, and contributed as much as any 
other cause to keep alive the hatred and 
animosity toward their enemies. 
10* 



114 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTORES 



4 



CHAPTER YIII. 

The regular crew of the Jersey consistedl 
of a captain, two mates, a steward, a cook, 
and about a dozen sailors. There was like- 
wise on board a guard of ten or twelve old 
invalid marines, who were unfit for active 
service ; and a guard of about thirty sol- 
diers, from the different regiments quartered 
on Long Island, who were relieved by a 
fresh party every week. 

The physical force of the prisoners was 
sufficient at any time to take possession of 
the ship ; but the difficulty was,- to dispose 
of themselves after a successful attempt 
Long Island was in possession of the British, 
and the inhabitants were favorable to the 
British cause. To leave the ship, and land 
upon the island, would be followed by 
almost certain detection; and the miseries 
of our captivity would be increased by 
additional cruelties heaped upon us from 
the vindictive feelings of our oppressors. 

Yet, small as was the chance for succeed- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 116 

ing in the undertaking, the attempt to escape 
was often made, and in not a few instances 
with success. 

Our sufferings were so intolerable, that 
we felt it to be our duty to expose ourselves 
to almost any risk to obtain our liberty. To 
remain on board of the prison ship seemed 
to be certain death, and in its most horrid 
form ; to be killed, while endeavoring to get 
away, could be no worse. 

American prisoners are proverbial for 
their ingenuity in devising ways and means 
to accomplish their plans, whether they be 
devised for their own comfort and benefit, 
or for the purpose of annoying and tor 
men ting their keepers. 

Although we were guarded with vigi 
lance, yet there did not appear much system 
in the management of the prisoners ; for we 
frequently missed a whole ''mess" from 
our number, while their disappearance was 
not noticed by our keepers. Occasionally a 
few would bo brought back, who had been 
found in the woods upon Long Island, and 
taken up by the '' Tories." 

Our mess one day noticed, that the mess 
that occupied the place next to them were 



116 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

among the missing. This circumstance led 
to much conjecture and inquiry respectmg 
the manner in Avhich they had effected their 
escape. By watching the movements of our 
neighbors, we soon found out the process 
necessary to be adopted. Any plan, which 
a mess had formed, they kept a secret 
among their number, in order to insure a 
greater prospect of success. In this way, 
we were kept ignorant for a long time of the 
manner in which the undertaking was ac- 
complished. 

For the convenience of the officers of the 
prison ship, a closet, called the "round 
house," had been constructed under the 
forecasde, the door of which was kept 
locked. This room was seldom used, there 
being other conveniences in the ship prefer- 
able to it. 

Some of the prisoners had contrived to 
pick the lock of the door ; and, as it was not 
discovered, the door remained unfastened. 

After we had missed our neighboring pris- 
oners, and had ascertained to our satisfac- ; 
tion their mode of operation, the members | 
of our mess determined to seize the first op- \ 
portunity offered to attempt our escape. We 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 117 

selected a day, about the fifteenth of August, 
and made ah the preparations in our power 
for ensuring us success in our undertaking. 

At sun- set, when the usual cry from the 
officer of the guard, " Down, rebels, down," 
was heard, instead of following the multi- 
tude down the hatchways, our mess, con- 
sisting of six, all Americans, succeeded in 
getting into the "roundhouse," excepting 
one. The round house was found too 
small to contain more than five ; and the 
sixth man, whose name, I think, was Put- 
nam, of Boston, concealed himself under 
a large tub, that happened to be' lying near 
the place of our confinement. 

The situation of the five, as closely packed 
in the "round house" as we could stand and 
breathe, was so uncomfortable as to make 
us very desirous of vacating it as soon as 
possible. 

We remained thus cooped up, hardly dar- 
ing to breathe, for fear that we should be 
heard by the guard. The prisoners were all 
below, and no noise was heaid above, saving 
the tramp of the guard as he paced the deck. 

It was customary, after the prisoners were 
secured below, for the ship's mate every 



lis REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

night to search above: this, however, was 
considered a mere form, and the duty was 
very imperfectly executed. While we were 
anxiously waiting for the completion of this 
service, an event transpired, that we little 
anticipated, and which led to our detection. 
One of the prisoners, an Irishman, had 
made his arrangements to escape the same 
evening, and had not communicated with 
any one on the subject, excepting a comi- 
tryman of his, whom he persuaded to bury 
him up in the coal-hole, near the forecastle. 
Whether his friend covered him faithfully 
or not, or whether the Irishman thought 
that if he could not see anybody, nobody 
could see him, or whether, feeling uncom- 
fortable in his position, he turne^d over to 
relieve himself, I know not ; but, when the 
mate looked into the coal-hole, he espied 
something rather whiter than the coal, 
which he soon ascertained to be the Irish- 
man's shoulder. This discovery made the 
officer suspicious, and induced him to make 
a more thorough search than usual. We 
heard the uproar that followed the dis- 
covery, and the threats of the mate that he 
'' would search every h d corner." He 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 119 

soon arrived at the round house, and we 
heard him ask a soldier for the key. Our 
hopes and expectations were a httle raised, 
when we heard the soldier reply, " There is 
no need of searching this place, for the door 
is kept constantly locked." But the mate 
was not to be diverted from his purpose, 
and ordered the soldier to get the key. 

During the absence of the soldier, we had 
a httle time to reflect upon the dangers of 
our situation ; crowded together in a space 
so small as not to admit of motion, with no 
other protection than the thickness of a 
board ; guarded on the outside by about a 
dozen soldiers, armed with cutlasses; and 
the mate, considerably drunk, with a pistol 
in each hand, threatening to fire through, 
every moment, our feelings may be more 
easily conceived than described. There was 
but little time for deliberation ; something 
must be immediately done. We knew, that, 
as soon as we should be compelled to quit 
our hiding-place, our destination would be 
the quarter-deck for the night; the luxury 
of sleeping below would not be granted to 
prisoners detected in the heinous crime of 
attempting their escape. 



120 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

In a whispering consultation of a few mo- 
ments, we concluded that the safest course 
we could pursue would be to break out with 
all the violence we could exercise, overcome 
every obstacle, and reach the quarter-deck. 
By this time, the soldier had arrived with 
the key, and upon applying it the door was 
found to be unlocked. We now heard our 
last summons from the mate, with impreca- 
tions too horrid to repeat, and threatening 
us with instant destruction if we did not 
immediately come out. 

To remain gny longer where we were 
would have been certain death to some of 
us; we therefore carried our hastily-formed 
plan into operation. The door opened out- 
wards, and, forming ourselves into a solid 
body, we burst open the door, rushed out 
pell-mell, and, making a brisk use of our 
fists, knocked the guard heels over head in 
all directions, at the same time running 
with all possible speed for the quarter-deck. 
As I rushed out, being in the rear. I re- 
ceived a wound from a cutlass on my side, 
the scar of which remains to this day. 

As nearly all the guard were prostrated 
by our unexpected sally, we arrived at our 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 121 

leslmed place, without being pursued by 
anything but curses and threats. 

The mate exercised his authority to pro- 
tect us from the rage of the soldiers who 
were in pursuit of us as soon as they had 
recovered from the prostration into which 
they had involuntarily been thrown; and, 
with the assistance of the captain's mistress, 
whom the noise had brought upon deck, 
and whose sympathy was excited when she 
saw we were about to be murdered : she 
placed herself between us and the enraged 
guard, and made such an outcry as to bring 
the captain up, who ordered the guard to 
taKC their station at a certain distance and 
watch us narrowly. We were all put in 
irons, our feet being fastened to a long bar, 
a guard placed over us, and in this manner 
we were left to spend the night. 

During the time of the transactions re- 
lated, our fellow-prisoner, Putnam, remained 
juiet under the tub, and heard the noise 
iround his hiding-place. He was not suf- 
fered to remain long in suspense. A soldier 
ifted up the tub, and, seeing the poor pris- 
)ner, thrust his bayonet into his body jus/ 
11 



122 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

above his hip, and then drove him to the 
quarter-deck to take his station in irons 
among us. Tlie blood flowed profusely 
from his wound, and he was soon after sent 
on board of the hospital ship, and we never 
heard anything respecting him afterwards. 

With disappointed expectations, we passed 
a dreary night. A cold fog, followed by 
rain, came on ; to which we were exposed, 
without any blankets or covering to protect 
us from the inclemency of the weather. 
Our sufferings of mind and body during 
that horrible night exceeded any that li 
have ever experienced. We were chilled ( 
almost to death, and the only way we could' 
preserve heat enough in our bodies to p^-e- 
vent our perishing was to lie upon each 
other by turns. Morning at length came, 
and we were released from our fetters. Our 
limbs were so stifl' that we could hardly 
stand. Our fellow-prisoners assisted us; 
below, and, wrapping us in blankets, we 
were at length restored to a state of com-" 
parative comfort. 

For attempting to escape we were pun- 
ished by having our miserable allowance 
reduced one third in quantity for a month; | 






OF EBENEZER FOX. 123 



and we had found the whole of it hardly 
sufficient to sustain hfe. This diminution 
in our fare was the only variety we experi- 
enced in our monotonous lives for several 
weeks. 

One day a boat came alongside, containing 
about sixty firkins of grease, which they 
called butter. The prisoners were always 
ready to assist in the performance of any 
labor necessary to be done on board of the 
ship, as it afforded some Httle relief to the 
tedious monotony of their lives. On this 
occasion, they were ready to assist in hoist- 
ing the butter on board. The firkins were ' 
first deposited upon the deck, and then 
lowered down the main hatchway. Some 
of the prisoners, who were the most officious 
HI giving their assistance, contrived to se- 

' Crete a firkin, by rolling it forward under 
the forecastle, and afterwards carrying it 
below in their bedding. 

(■ - This was considered as quite a wind-fall; 
and, being divided among a few of us, 
proved a considerable luxury. It helped to 
fill up the pores in our mouldy bread, when 
the worms were dislodged, and gave to the 
crumbling particles a little more consistence. 



124 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Sev(iral weeks after our unsuccessful at- 
tempt to escape, another one, attended with 
better success, was made by a number of 
the prisoners. At sunset the prisoners were 
driven below, and the main hatchway was 
closed. In this there was a small trap-door, 
large enough for a man to pass through, and 
a sentinel was placed over it with orders to 
permit but one prisoner at a time to come 
up during the night. 

The plan that had been formed was this : 
one of the prisoners should ascend, and dis- 
pose of the sentinel in such a manner that 
he should be no obstacle in the way of those 
who were to follow. 

Among the soldiers was an Irishmar 
who, in consequence of having a head of 
hair remarkable for its curly appearance 
and withal a very crabbed disposition, had 
been nicknamed " Billy the Ram." He was 
the sentry on deck this night, for one was i 
deemed sufficient, as the prisoners were con- | 
sidered secure when they were below, hav- I 
ing no other place of egress saving the trap- I 
door, over which the sentinel was stationed | 
Late in the night, one of the prisoners, a I 
bold, athletic fellow ascended upon deck, 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 125 

and in an artful manner engaged the atten- 
tion of "Billy the Ram," in conversation 
respecting the war ; lamenting that he had 
ever engaged in so unnatural a contest; 
expressing his intention of enlisting in 
the British service; and requesting Billy's 
advice as to the course necessary to be 
pursued to obtain the confidence of the 
officers. 

. Billy happened to be in a mood to take 
some interest in his views, and showed an 
inclination, quite uncommon for him, to 
prolong the conversation. Unsuspicious of 
any evil desjgn on the part of the prisoner, 
and while leaning carelessly on his gun, 
" Billy " received a tremendous blow from 
the fist of his entertainer, on the back of his 
head, which brought him to the deck in a 
state of insensibility. As soon as he was 
heard to fall by those below, who were 
anxiously waiting the result of the friendly 
conversation of their pioneer with ''Billy," 
and were satisfied that the final knock-down 
argument had been given; they began to 
ascend, and,. one after another, to jump 
overboard, to the amount of about thirty, 
11* 



126 REVOLUTlONARTf ADVENTURES 

The noise aroused tlie guard, who came 
upon deck, where they found "Billy," not 
sufficiently recovered from the stunning 
effects of the blow he had received, to give 
any account of the transaction. A noise 
was heard in the water ; but it was so dark 
that no object could be distinguished. The 
attention of the guard, however, was di- 
rected to certain spots, which exhibited a 
luminous appearance, which salt water is 
known to assume in the night when it is 
agitated ; and to these appearances they 
directed their fire, and, getting out the boats, 
picked up about half of the number that 
attempted to escape, many of whom were 
wounded, though no one was killed. The 
rest escaped. 

During the uproar overhead, the prisoners 
below encouraged the fugitives and ex- 
pressed their approbation of their proceed- 
ings m three hearty cheers ; for which grati- 
fication we sufi'ered our usual punishment 
— a short allowance of our already short 
and miserable fare. 

For about a fortnight after this transac- 
tion, it would have been a hazardous ex- 
periment to approach near to " Billy uie 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 127 

Ram," and it was a long time before we 
ventured to speak to him, and finally to 
obtain from him an account of the events 
of that evening. 

Not long after this, another successful 
attempt to escape was made, which for its 
boldness is perhaps unparalleled in the his- 
tory of such transactions. 

One pleasant morning about ten o'clock, 
a boat came alongside, containing a number 
of gentlemen from New- York, who came 
for the purpose of gratifying themselves 
with a sight of the miserable tenants of the 
prison-ship : influenced by the same kind of 
curiosity that induces some people to travel 
a great distance to witness an execution. 

The boat, which was a beautiful yawl, 
and sat like a swan upon the water, was 
manned by four oarsmen, with a man at the 
helm. Considerable attention and respect 
was shown to the visitors, the ship's side 
being manned when they showed their in- 
tention of coming on board, and the usual 
naval courtesies extended. The gentlemen 
were soon on board ; and the crew of the 
rawl, having secured her to the fore-chains 



128 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

on the larboard side of the ship, were per 
mitted to ascend the deck. 

A soldier as usual was pacing with a slow 
and measured tread the whole length of the 
deck, wheeling round with military pre- 
cision when he arrived at the end of his 
walk ; and, whether upon this occasion any- 
one interested in his movements had se- 
cretly slipped a guinea into his hand, not 
to quicken^ but to retard his progress, was 
never known ; but it was evident to the 
prisoners that he had never occupied so 
much time before m measuring the distance 
with his back to the place where the yawl 
was fastened. At this time, there were sit- 
ting in the forecastle, apparently admiring 
the beautiful appearance of the yawl, four 
mates and a captain, who had been brought 
on board as prisoners a few days previous, 
taken in some vessel from a southern port. 

As soon as the sentry had passed these 
men, in his straightforward march, they in 
a very quiet manner lowered themselves 
down into the yawl, cut the rope, and the 
four mates taking in hand the oars, while 
the captain managed the helm, in less time 
than I have taken to describe it, they were 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 129 

ander full sweep from the ship. Tliey plied 
the oars with such vigor, that every stroke 
they took seemed to take the boat out of the 
water. In the mean time, the sentry heard 
nothing and saw nothing of this transaction, 
till he had arrived at the end of his march, 
when, in wheeling slowly round, he could 
no longer affect ignorance, or avoid seeing 
that the boat was several times its length 
from the ship. He immediately fired ; but, 
whether he exercised his best skill as a 
marksman, or whether it was on account of 
\he boat going ahead its whole length at 
every pull of the rowers, I could never 
exactly ascertain : but the ball fell harmless 
into the water. The report of the gun 
brought the whole guard out, who blazed 
away at the fugitives, without producing 
any diminution in the rapidity of their 
progress. 

By this time, the officers of the ship were 
on deck with their visitors ; and, while all 
were gazing with astonishment at the bold- 
ness and eftrontery of the achievement, and 
the guard were firing as fast as they could 
load their guns, the captain in the yawl left 
the helm, and, standing erect in the stern, 



130 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

with his back to the Jersey, bending his 
body to a right angle, he exhibited the 
broadest part of himself to their view, and 
with a signiiScant gesture directed their at- 
tention to it as a proper target for the exer- 
cise of their skill. This contemptuous de- 
fiance caused our captain to swell with 
rage; and when the prisoners gave three 
cheers to the yawl's crew as expressive of 
their joy at their success, he ordered all of 
us to be driven below at the point of the 
bayonet, and there we were confined the 
remainder of the day. These five men 
escaped, greatly to the mortification of the 
captain and ofiicers of the prison ship. 
After this, as long as I remained a prisoner, 
whenever any visitors came on board, all 
the prisoners were driven below, where they 
were obliged to remain till the company had 
departed. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 131 



CHAPTER IX. 

The miseries of our condition were con- 
tinually increasing : the pestilence on board 
spread rapidly, and every day added to our 
bill of mortality. The young, in a par- 
ticular manner, were its most frequent vic- 
tims. The number of the prisoners was 
3ontniually increasing, notwithstanding the 
frequent and successful attempts to escape : 
and when we were mustered and called 
upon to answer to our names, and it was 
ascertained that nearly two hundred had 
mysteriously disappeared without leaving 
any hiformation of their departure, the offi- 
cers of the ship endeavored to make amends 
for their past remissness by increasing the 
rigor of our confinement, and depriving us 
of all hope of adopting any of the means for 
liberating ourselves from our cruel thraldom, 
so successfully practised by many of our 
^omrades. 

With the hope that some relief might be 
obtained to meliorate the wretchedness ol 



132 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

our situation, the prisoners petitioned Gen. 
Chnton, commanding the British forces in 
New- York, for permission to send a memo- 
rial to General Washington, describing our 
condition, and requesting his influence in 
our behalf, that some exchange of prisoners 
alight be effected. 

Permission was obtained, and the memo- 
rial was sent. In a few days, an answer 
was received from Gen. Washington, con- 
taining expressions full of interest and sym- 
pathy, but declaring his inability to do any- 
thing for our relief by way of exchange, as 
his authority did not extend to the marine 
department of the service, and that soldiers 
could not consistently be exchanged foi 
sailors. He declared his intention, however, 
to lay our memorial before Congress, and 
that no exertion should be spared by him to 
mitigate our sufferings. 

Gen. Washington at the same time sent 
letters to Gen. Clinton, and to the British 
Commissary of Prisoners, in which he 
remonstrated against their cruel treatment 
of the American prisoners, and threatened, 
if our situation was not made more tolerable, 
to retaliate by placing British prisoners in 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 133 

circumstances as rigorous and uncomfortable 
as were our own : that " with what measure 
they metedj the same should be measured to 
them again.'' 

We experienced after this some httle 
improvement in our food, but no relaxation 
in the severity of our confinement. The 
interposition of Divine Providence, or remo- 
val from our loathsome prison, seemed the 
only preservative from the pestilence which 
'•walked in darkness and destroyed at 
noon-day." 

The long detention of American sailors 
on board of British prison-ships was to be 
attributed to the little pains that were taken 
by our countrymen to retain British subjects, 
who were taken prisoners on the ocean 
during the war. Our privateers captured 
many British seamen; who, when willing 
to enlist in our service, as was generally the 
case, were received on board of our ships. 
Those, who were brought into port, were 
suffered to go at large ; for, in the impover- 
ished condition of the country, no state o* 
town was williug to subject itself to the ex- 
pense of maintaining prisoners in a state of 
12 



'i 



134 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

confinement : they were permitted to pro- 
vide for themselves. In this way, the 
number of British seamen was too small for j 
a regular and equal exchange. Thus the* 
British seamen, after their capture, enjoyed 
the blessings of liberty, the light of the sun, 
and the purity of the atmosphere, while the 
poor American sailors were compelled t 
drag out a miserable existence amid want 
and distress, famine and pestilence. As 
every principle of justice and humanity was 
disregarded by the British in the treatment 
•){ their prisoners, so likewise every moral 
and legal right was violated in compelling 
them to enter into their service. 

We had obtained some information in 
relation to an expected draught that would 
soon be made upon the prisoners to fill up a 
complement of men that were wanted for 
the service of his majesty's fleet. 

One day in the latter part of August, our 
fears of the dreaded event were realized. A 
British officer with a number of soldiers 
came on board. The prisoners were all 
ordered on deck, placed on the larboard 
gangway, and marched in single file round 
to the quarter-deck, where the officers stood 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 135 

10 inspect them and select such ones as 
suited their fancies, without any reference 
to the rights of the prisoners, or considering 
at all the duties they owed to the land of 
their nativity, or the government for which 
they had fought and suffered. 

The argument was, "Men we want, and 
men we will have." We continued to 
march round, in solemn and melancholy 
procession, till they had selected from among 
our number about three hundred of the 
ablest, nearly all of whom were Americans, 
and they were directed to go below under a 
guard, to collect togetlier whatever things 
they wished to take belonging to them. 
They were then driven into the boats, wait- 
ing alongside, and left the prison-ship, not 
to enjoy their freedom, but to be subjected to 
the iron despotism, and galling slavery of a 
Fritish man-of-war ; to waste their lives in 
a foreign service ; and toil for masters whom 
^.hey hated. Such, however, were the hor- 
rors of our situation as prisoners, and so 
small was the prospect of relief, that we 
almost envied the lot of those who left the 
ship to go into the service even of our enemy. 

That the reader may not think I have 



13ft REVOLUTIONARY Al^VENTUREt 

given an exaggerated account of our suffer- 
ings on board of the Jersey, I will her© 
introduce some facts related in the *histo- 
ries of the Revolutionary War. I introduce 
them as an apology for the course that I 
and many of my fellow-citizens adopted tw 
obtain a temporary relief from our sufferings. 

The prisoners, captured by Sir Willianir 
Howe in 1776, amounted to several hun-: 
dreds. j 

The officers only were admitted to parole,) 
and had miserable quarters assigned them, 
but the privates were confined in prisons, 
deserted churches, and other large open 
buildings ; entirely unfit for the habitations^ 
of human beings, in severe winter weather,' 
without any of the most ordinary comforts 
of life. f 

To the everlasting and indelible disgrace ' 
of the British name, these unfortunate vic- 
tims of a barbarity more befitting savages, 
than gentlemen belonging to a nation boast- 
ing itself to be the most enlightened and 
civilized in the world, perished many hun- 

* See Gordon's, Ramsay's, and Botta*^ Histories of tna 
American Revolution. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 137 

dreds of them, from want of proper food and 
attention. 

The cruelty of their inhuman jailers was 
not terminated by the death of these wretched 
men, as so little care was taken to remove 
their bodies, that seven corpses have been 
seen at one time lying in one of these build- 
ings in the midst of their living fellow-pris- 
oners, who were, perhaps, envying them 
their release from misery. 

The food, given the imprisoned "rebels," 
as the British called them, was not only 
deficient in quantity; but even the scanty 
portion dealt them was such, as would 
scarcely be tolerated by the meanest beg- 
gar, being generally that which had been 
rejected by the British ships as unfit to be 
eaten by the sailors, and unwholesome in 
the highest degree, as wtU as disgusting in 
taste and appearance. 

In December, 1776, the American board 
of war after procuring such evidence as 
convinced them of the truth of their state- 
ment, reported: "That there were nine 
hundred privates, and three hundred offi- 
cers, of the American army, prisoners in the 
12* 



13S REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

city of New York, and five hundred pri' 
vates and fifty oflicers, in Philadelphia. 
That, since the beginning of October, all 
these prisoners, both oflicers and privates, 
had been confined in prison-ships or the 
provost. That, from the best evidence the 
subject could admit of, the general allow- 
ance of the prisoners did not exceed four 
ounces of meat per day, and that often so 
damaged as not to be eatable. That it had 
■^en a common practice with the British to 
Keep their prisoners four or five days with- 
out a morsel of meat, and then tempt them 
to enlist, to save their lives." 

Many were actually starved to death^ in 
hope of making them enrol themselves in 
the British army. 

The American sailors, when captured, 
suffered even more than the soldiers ; for 
they were confined on board prison-ships in 
great numbers, and in a manner which 
showed that the British officers were will- 
ing to treat fellow-beings, whose only crime 
was love of liberty, worse than the vilest 
animals; and indeed, in every respect, with 
as much ^ruelty as io rn lured by the mis- 



OF EBENEZEE FOX. 139 

crable inhabitants of the worst class of 
slave ships. 

The prisoners were so crowded in these 
i«hips, and so brutally treated, that, in con- 
sequence of bad food and impure air, dis- 
eases broke out among them, which de- 
stroyed immense numbers. In the course 
of the war, it has been asserted on good 
eviderice, that eleven thousand persons died 
on board the Jersey, one of the largest of 
the prison-ships, stationed in East-river, 
near New York. 

These unfortunate beings died in agony 
in the midst of their fellow-sufferers, who 
were obUged to witness their tortures, with- 
out the power of relieving their dying coun- 
trymen, even by cooling their parched lips 
with a drop of cold water, or a breath of 
fresh air; and, when the last breath had 
left the emaciated * body, they sometimes 
remained for hours in close contact with the 
corpse, without room to shrink from com- 
panions death had made so horrible. And 
when at last the dead were removed, they 
were sent in boats to the shore, and so im 
perfectly buried, that, long after the wai 
was ended; their bones lay whitening i- 



140 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the sun on the beach of Long Island, a last- 
ing memorial of British cruelty, so entirely 
unwarranted by all the laws of war, or 
even common humanity. 

They could not even pretend they were 
retaliating; for the Americans invariably 
treated their prisoners with kindness, and 
as though they were fellow-men. All the 
time that these cruelties were performed, 
those, who were deprived of every comfort 
and necessary, were constantly entreated to 
leave the American service, and induced to 
believe, while kept from all knowledge of 
public affairs, that the republican cause 
was hopeless ; that all engaged in it would 
meet the punishment of traitors to their 
king; and that all their prospect of saving 
their lives, or escaping from an imprison- 
ment worse than death to young and high- 
spirited men, as most 0$. them were, would 
be in joining the British army, where they 
would be sure of good pay and quick pro- 
motion. ^ 

These were the means employed by out 
enemies to increase their own forces, and 
discourage the patriots, and it is not strange 
that they were successful in many instances, 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 141 

High sentiments of honor could not well 
exist in the poor, half-famished prisoners, 
who were denied even water to quench 
their thirst, or the privilege of breathing 
fresh, pure air; and cramped, day after 
day, in a space too small to admit of exer- 
cising their weary limbs; with the fear of 
wasting their lives in a captivity, which 
could not serve their country, nor gain 
honor to themselves. 

But worse than all was the mortifying 
consideration, that, after they had suffered 
for the love of their country, more than sol- 
diers in active service, they might die in 
these horrible places, and be laid with their 
countrymen on the shores of Long Island, 
or some equally exposed spot, without the 
rites of burial, and their names never be 
heard of by those who, in future ages, would 
look back to the r^ill of patriots, who died 
in defence of liberty, with admiration and 
respect; while, on the contrary, by dis- 
.sembling for a time, they might be enabled 
to regain a place in the service so dear to 
them, and in which they were ready to en- 
dure any hardship, or encounter any danger. 

Of all the prisons, on land or water, for 



142 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the confinement of the Americans during 
the Revokitionary war, the "Old Jersey" 
was acknowledged to be the worst, such an 
accumulation of horrors was pot to be found 
in any other one, or perhaps in all ccJlec- 
tively. 

The very name of it struck terror into 
the sailor's heart, and caused him to fight 
more desperately, to avoid being made a 
captive. Suffering as we did, aay after 
day, with no prospect of relief: our number 
continually augmenting, and all hope of 
escape destroyed by the increased vigilance 
of our guards, since they ascertained how 
many had escaped ; can it be thought strange 
that the younger part of the prisoners, tc 
whom confinement seemed worse than death, 
should be tempted to enlist into the British 
service? especially when, by so doing, it 
was probable that som^ opportunity would 
be ofifered to desert 7 a course which many 
had adopted with success. We were satis- 
fied that death would soon put an end to 
our sufferings, if we remained prisoners 
much longer ; yet, when we discussed the 
expediency of seeking a change in our con- 
dition, which we were satisfied could not be 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 143 

worse under any circumstances, and it was 
proposed that we should enter the service 
of "King George," our minds revolted at 
the idea, and we abandoned the intention. 

In the midst of our distress, perplexities, 
and troubles at this period, we were not a 
little puzzled to know how to dispose of the 
vermin that would accumulate upon our 
persons, notwithstanding all our attempts 
at cleanliness. To catch them was a very 
easy task, but to undertake to deprive each 
individual captive of life, as rapidly as they 
could have been taken, would have been a 
more herculean task for each individual 
daily, than the destruction of the three thou- 
sand Philistines by Samson of old. To 
throw them overboard would have been but 
a small relief; as they would probably add 
to the impurities of the boiler, by being de- 
posited in it the first time it was filled up 
for cooking our unsavory mess. What then 
was to be done with them ? A general con- 
sultation was held, and it was determined 
to deprive them of their liberty. This being 
agreed upon, the prisoners immediately went 
to work, for their comfort and amusement, 
to make a liberal contribution of those mi- 



141 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

gratory creatures, who were compelled to 
colonize for a time within the boundaries of 
a large snuff-box appropriated for the pur- 
pose. There they lay, snugly ensconced, 
of all colors, ages, and sizes, to the amount 
of some thousands, waiting for orders. 

British recruiting officers frequently came 
on board, and held out to the prisoners 
tempting offers to enlist in his Majesty's ser- 
vice ; not to fight against their own country, 
but to perform garrison duty in the island 
of Jamaica. 

One day an Irish officer came on board 
for this purpose, and, not meeting with 
much success among the prisoners who hap- 
pened to be upon deck, he descended below 
to repeat his offers. He was a remarkably 
tall man, and was obliged to stoop as he 
passed along between the decks. The pris- 
oners were disposed for a frolic, and kept 
the officer in their company for some time, 
flattering him with expectations, till he dis- 
covered their insincerity, and left them in 
no very pleasant humor. As he passed 
along, bending his body, and bringing his 
broad shoulders to nearly a horizontal posi- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 145 

tion, the idea .occurred to our minds to fur- 
nish him with some recruits from the colony 
in the snuff-box. A favorable opportunity 
presented, the cover of the box was removed, 
and the whole contents discharged upon the 
red-coated back of the officer. Three cheers 
from the prisoners followed the migration, 
and the officer ascended to the deck, uncon- 
scious of the number and variety of recruits 
he had obtained without the formality of an 
enlistment. The captain of the ship, suspi- 
cious that some joke had been practised, or 
some mischief perpetrated, from the noise 
below, met the officer at the head of the 
gangway, and, seeing the vermin crawling 
up his shoulders and aiming at his head 
with the mstinct peculiar to them, exclaimed, 
" Hoot, mon, wha' is the matter with yer 
bock?" The captain was a Scotchman. 
By this time many of them, in their wan- 
derings, had travelled round from the rear 
to the front, and showed themselves, to the 
astonishment of the officer. He flung off 
his coat in a paroxysm of rage, which was 
not allayed by three cheers from the prison- 
ers on the deck. Confinement below, with 
13 



146 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

a short allowance, was our punishment for 
this gratification. 

From some information we had obtained, 
we were in daily expectation of a visit from 
the British recruiting officers ; and, from 
the summary method of their former proce- 
dure, no one felt safe from the danger of 
being forced into their service. Many of 
the prisoners thought it would be better to 
enlist voluntarily, as it was probable that 
afterwards they would be permitted to re- 
mam on Long Island, preparatory to their 
departure for the West Indies, and during 
that time some opportunity would be offered 
for their escape to the Jersey shore. 

To remain an indefinite time as prisoners, 
enduring sufferings and privations beyond 
what human nature could sustain, or to 
make a virtue of necessity, and with appa- 
rent willingness to enlist into a service, into 
which we were satisfied that we should 
soon be impressed, seemed to be the only 
alternatives. 

There was a hope, too, that, by voluntarily 
enlisting, we should obtain a degree of con- 
fidence, which would result in affording us 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 147 

Rii opportunity of deserting, and thereby- 
regaining our liberty. 

While prisoners on board of the Jersey, 
we could obtain no accurate knowledge of 
the success of the American cause. The 
information we had, came from our ene- 
mies, whose interest it was to deceive us. 
They magnified our disasters, and kept us 
in ignorance of our success, and constantly 
represented the cause as hopeless. Cold 
weather was approaching, and we had no 
comfortable clothing to protect us from the 
rigors of an inclement season. 

Situated as we were, there appeared to 
us to be no moral turpitude in enlisting in 
the British service, especially when we 
considered that it was almost certain we 
should soon be impressed into the same. 
Our moral discernment was not clear enough 
to perceive, that it was not safe "to do evil 
that good may come." We thought the 
end justified the means, and, in despair of 
any improvement being in prospect for oui 
liberation, we concluded that we would 
enlist for soldiers, for the West India ser- 
vice, and trust to Providence for finding an 



148 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENIURES 

opportunity to leave the British for the 
American service. 

Soon after we had formed this desperate 
resolution, a recruiting officer came on board 
to enlist men for the eighty-eighth regiment, 
to be stationed at Kingston, in the island of 
Jamaica. We had just been trying to sat- 
isfy our hunger upon a piece of beef, which 
was so tough that no teeth could make an 
impression on it, when the officer descended 
between decks, and represented to us the 
immense improvement that we should expe- 
rience in our condition, if we were in his 
Majesty's service; an abundance of good 
food, comfortable clothing, service easy, and 
in the finest climate in the world, were 
temptations too great to be resisted by a set 
of miserable, half-starved, and almost naked 
wretches, as we were, and who had already 
concluded to accept of the proposition even 
had it beer, made under circumstances less 
enticing. 

The recruiting officer presented his papers 
for our signature. We hesitated, we stared 
at each other, and felt that we were about 
to do a deed of which we were ashamed, 
and which we might regret. Again we 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 149 

neard the tempting offers, and again the 
assurance that we should not be called 
upon to fight against our government or 
country ; and, with the hope that we should 
find an opportunity to desert, of which it 
was our firm intention to avail ourselves 
when offered — with such hopes, expecta- 
tions, and motives, we signed the papers, 
and became soldiers in his Majesty's service. 
How often did we afterwards lament that 
we had ever lived to see this hour ! how 
often did we regret that we were not in our 
wretched prison-ship again or buned in the 
sand at the Wallabout I 
«3* 



150 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 



CHAPTER X. 

We shortly after, twelve in number, left thej 
Jersey, and were landed upon Long Island' 
and marched under a guard about a mile to 
an old barn, where we were quartered. We 
had formed our plan to desert that night; 
but great was our disappointment and sur- 
prise to find, that the barn was surrounded 
by a strong guard, as though our design 
was suspected and means were taken to pre- 
vent it. Though our lodgings seemed a 
palace compared with our prison-ship, yet 
sleep was a stranger to us during that night. 
Under various pretexts, Ave frequeiitly went 
out to reconnoitre ; but were satisfied that 
there was no chance for escape then, and 
must trust to Providence for some more 
favorable opportunity. The next morning, 
after we had partaken of, what appeared to 
us, a luxurious repast, we were paraded for 
drill, and then marched down to the shore 
under a guard of twenty soldiers, whom the 
officers calledj in compliment to us, an 



OF EBENEZEPw FOX. 151 

escort ; an honor with which we could very 
well have dispensed. In our march, we 
passed the Jersey; and this gloomy hulk, 
with all the horrible associations connected 
with it, seemed a desirable resting place, 
compared with the melancholy prospect 
before us.* 

Disappointed in all our hopes and expecta- 
tions of escape, we were hurried on board of 
a vessel ready to sail for Jamaica, only wait- 
ing for a favorable wind. We entertained 
a faint hope, that, during our voyage, we 
might be taken by some American privateer, 
and consequently obtain our freedom. 

In the course of six or eight days, we 

* The reader may have some curiosity to know what became 
of the " Old Jersey." The prisoners, who were on board of 
her at the conclusion of the war in 1783, were liberated. The 
prison-ship was then abandoned, and the dread of contagion 
prevented any one visiting her. Worms soon destroyed her 
bottom, and she afterwards sunk. It is said that her planks 
were covered with the names of the captives, who had been 
immured there ; a long and melancholy catalogue, as it is 
supposed that a greater number of men perished on board of 
her, than history informs us of in any other place of confine- 
ment in the same period of time. 

In the year 1803, the bank at the Wallabout was removed, 
as preparatory to building a Navy Yard. A vast quantity of 
bones were found, which were carefully collected and buried 
ander the di-rection o^'the Tammany Society of New York. 



152 REVOLUTIOx\ARY ADVENTURES 

weighed anchor, and hoisted our sail for^ 
Jamaica. I placed myself upon the quarter i 
deck, to prolong my view of my beloved | 
native land, which 1 was leaving, I feared, 
forever. The whids were propitious, and 
our progress was rapid. 

We had in company a small schooner, a 
Virginia built vessel, and a rapid sailer. 
Our captain occasionally put on board of 
ner twelve or fifteen men, whom he gener- 
ally selected from among those who had 
enlisted as soldiers, as they had for the most 
part experienced a sea service. We cap- 
tured a small Frencn vessel durmg the 
voyage, after we had come m sight of land 
and were running down to leeward of it 
under French colors. 

We suddenly formed a plan to take pos- 
session of the schooner, of which we com- 
posed the greater part of the crew, and run 
into some Spanish or Portuguese island. 
Our ship was a good way ahead of us ; and 
as she was a very dull sailer, we thought 
there would be no difficulty in escaping 
from her. It was necessary for us to be 
prompt and decided in our operations. The 



OF EBENEZER JUX. • 153 

crew was composed of various nations, and 
great caution must be used in our consulta 
tions. We finally agreed upon our plan, 
and were about putting it in execution, 
li' when the courage of one of our party failed. 
I He was a Scotchman ; and, from the manner 
; in which he expressed his fears and doubts, 
. we had great reason to apprehend that he 
had or would betray us. During this time, 
we were running to the leeward, and, in 
case we succeeded, we should be obliged to 
beat up to the windward again, to recover 
the distance we had lost, and be exposed to 
the danger of meeting with English cruisers 
under the land. The attempt seemed too 
desperate to risk, and we reluctantly aban- 
doned it, although it Avas our last and forlorn 
hope. 

The next day we anchored in the harbor of 
Port Royal, where we lay one day, and sailed 
for Kingston. "Kingston is on the south 
coast of the island of Jamaica, and on the 
north side of a beautiful harbor, in which 
vessels of the largest burden may anchor in 
safety. It is built on a plain which com- 
mences on the shore, and rises with a gradual 



154 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

ascent to the foot of the Liguanea mountains, 
a distance of about six miles. Port Royal 
stands at the extremity of the long and nar- 
row peninsula which bounds Kingston har- 
bor on the south, about ten miles south-west 
of Kingston. It has an excellent harbor, in 
which a thousand ships could anchor with 
convenience. It contains the royal navy- 
yard, the navy hospital, and barracks for 
a regiment of soldiers. The fortifications 
are remarkably strong, and are kept in 
excellent order." Our vessel was hauled 
up to a wharf; we remained on board till a 
British sergeant came and took our names. 
The captain of our ship then informed us, 
that he was not ignorant of the design we 
had formed of taking possession of the ship 
during the voyage ; and although it was in 
his power to have us tried for our lives by a 
court-martial for an intended mutiny, yet 
he was actuated by feelings of compassion, 
and was more desirous of doing us good 
than evil, and was willing to forgive us. 
He then gave us some salutary advice 
respecting our future conduct, and bid us 
farewell. This magnanimous conduct on 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 155 

his part produced in us a heart-felt expres- 
sion of gratitude. 

We then landed, and with the sergeant at 
the head marched in single file through 
Kingston to a place called " Harmony-hall,'^ 
where the regiment was quartered, and 
were placed under the care of a drill ser- 
geant. The next morning we were ordered 
out for drill, and received our uniform and 
arms, which we were ordered to keep bright 
and in good order for service. We had but 
little employment, excepting being drilled to 
our hearts' content by the sergeant, to maka 
good soldiers of us for the service of his 
majesty, king George the Third. The life 
of a soldier in a garrison is an idle one at the 
best; and, though the duties are not laborious, 
there is a monotony in them which is ex- 
tremely irksome to the active mind of youth. 
But we could not reasonably expect to spend 
our lives in a garrison, if such a thing were 
desirable : after having had our share of it, 
we were aware that we should be called 
upon to perform some foreign service, we 
knew not where, perhaps to bear arms 
ugainst our beloved country. With the fear 



156 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

of this in view, and the reluctance we 
experienced in serving v/hat we still con- 
sidered the cause of our enemy, our minds 
were constantly employed in devising ways 
and means to efi'ect our escape. 

It appeared to be the object of our officers 
to reconcile us to the service, by making our 
duties easy and agreeable. We were often 
indulged with the privilege of leaving our 
quarters to visit the town or wander about 
the country adjacent. Harmony Hall, our 
quarters, was enclosed by a high fence, hav- ^ 
ing two gates in front and one in the rear, j 
at each of which a sentry was stationed. ^ 
When a soldier wished to leave the Hall, it 
was necessary for him to obtain a written 
order called a " pass," to show to the sentry 
when he went out, and to give up when he 
returned. Several of us thought it a practi- 
cable thing to get on board some of the 
British merchant vessels in the harbor, 
which were in need of men, and whose cap- 
tains would not hesitate to receive and 
secrete us, as they were frequently deprived 
of their hands by impressment on board of 
the ships of war. We availed ourselves of 



OP EBENEZER FOX. 157 

every opportunity we could obtain to get 
information respecting English vessels, their 
time of sailing, their destined ports, &c. ; 
thinking that if we could once get to Eng- 
land, we should find some means to get 
thence to France, whence we could return 
to our own country. 
h In our rambles about the town and 
country, we visited the grog-shops and 
, taverns, places where sailors generally re- 
(fSort, and had got considerably acquainted 
I with the keepers of these establishments. 
, Our "passes" were signed by a commis- 
iS sioned officer, and they gave us permission 
i to carry our side-arms, that is, a bayonet, 
I and to be absent two hours at a time. 
I While I and one of my comrades were 
i wandering about the town one day, we 
; stepped into a house, where liquors and 
I refreshments were to be obtained. We 
' found one of the seats occupied by an 
English sailor, to whom we, rather too 
frankly for prudence, communicated our 
intentions ; or, more correctly speaking, gave 
him some cause for suspecting our designs 
from the questions we asked him respecting 
14 



158 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the probability of obtaining employment on 
board of some merchant vessel, in case we 
could get released from onr present engage- 
ments. The sailor was inclined to be very 
sociable, and discovered no objections to 
drinking freely at our expense ; telling us 
that he belonged to an English ship that 
would sail in a few days ; that his captain 
was in want of hands ; and that, at his inter- 
cession, he would undoubtedly take us on 
board. 

He appeared so friendly, and his manners 
were so inshiuating, that he completely won 
our confidence. He asked us how we could 
obtain liberty to leave the garrison, and to 
pass in and out when we pleased? Taking 
my "pass" out of my pocket, I showed it 
to him. and told liim that was our authority. 
He took it into his, hand, apparendy with an 
intention of reading it; and, after looking at 
it for some time, in a sort of careless man- 
ner, he put it into his pocket. I felt a little 
surprised when I saw him do it, and my 
companion expressed his fears by whisper- 
ing into my ear, "Blast his eyes, he means 
to keep the pass." 




«^ 



OF EEENEZER FOX. 159 

Having allowed the fellow to get posses- 
sion of the paper, I felt myself responsible 
for it, and that it was necessary for me to 
recover it, even if I were obliged to resort to 
violent measures. I therefore said to him, 
'^ My friend, I must have that paper, as we 
cannot return to our quarters without it." 
He replied, "You had better be peaceable 
about it, for I mean to see your commanding 
officer." 

Matters had now come to a crisis. I saw 
that it was the sailor's object to inform 
against us, and to carry the ''pass" as an 
evidence of our conference with him. I 
immediately drew my bayonet from its 
scabbard, and thrusting it against his side 
with force sufficient to inflict a slight wound, 
put my hand into his pocket and took ou. 
the "pass;" and then, giving him a blow 
upon the head with the butt end of my 
bayonet, dropped him senseless on the floor. 
The noise of this conflict brought the land* 
lord into the room, followed by his wife, 
with whom a previous acquaintance had 
made me some What of a favorite. The 
rascal had by this time recovered his senses 
and had got upon his legs, and began to 



160 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

represent the matter in a light the most 
favorable to himself. 

We vehemently contradicted his asser- 
tions, and were stoutly backed up by the 
landlady, who was a considerable of a ter- 
magant, and declared that '' the sailor was 
a quarrelsome fellow; that he had made 
a difficulty once before in the house; and 
that her husband would be a fool if he did 
not kick him out of doors." 

The landlord, to prove that he was 
" compos mentis," and to appease the wrath 
of his wife, which waxed warm, complied 
with her kind wishes, and the sailor was, 
without much ceremony, hurried through 
the door, his progress not a little accelerated 
by a brisk application of the landlord's foot^ 
which sent him spinning into the street in 
the manner prescribed by the good woman. 
We were then advised by our friends to 
return to our quarters as quick as possible, 
lest the fellow might make some trouble for 
us. We paid our bill, and gave the landlord 
many thanks, not forgetting the landlady, to 
whose kind interference we owed our fortu- 
nate escape. This circumstance made me 
more cautious in future of communicating 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 161 

my designs to strangerSj how friendly soever 
they might appear. 

About this time I was unexpectedly 
released from the duties of a soldier. One 
day I attracted the attention of an officer, 
by the exercise of my skill as a barber, in 
the act of shaving a comrade; and was 
forthwith promoted to the high station of 
hairdresser and shaver for the officers. 
This was very agreeable to me, as it gave 
me an opportunity of obtaining much infor- 
mation respecting the town and country 
around, and likewise much leisure time, and 
many indulgences not granted to ^he soldiers. 

I was assiduous in my attentions to my 
superiors, and thereby gained their confi- 
dence, and could, almost whenever I wished, 
procure a pass to go out when I desired. 

But, although my duties were light and I 
experienced much kind treatment, I still felt 
myself in a state of servitude, — a prisoner, 
as it were, among the enemies of my coun- 
tr}^, — in a thraldom, from which I was 
desirous of being released. I was willing to 
incur any hazard to obtain my liberty, and 
to breathe once more the air of freedom 
14^ 



162 REVOLUTIONAllY ADVENTURES 

To visit my dear native land, my friends^ 
and the scenes of my childhoodj was the 
prevailing wish of my mind ; to accomplish 
this desire I was wiUing to hazard my life. 

Many difficulties were to he surmounted 
before this could be effected. Friends were 
to be found, in whom confidence could be 
placed. 

It was difficult to tell whom to trust. To 
impart my views to others might expose me 
to treachery; and, if betrayed, the conse- 
quences would be fatal.- It was necessary 
to proceed with great caution in obtaining 
the opinions of those who were likely to 
embark in the undertaking I had in contem- 
plation. Several must be found, possess- 
ing similar views and intentions, alike in 
courage and determination to carry through 
whatever plan might be formed. To desert 
from a military force, in an enemy's coun- 
try, and that an island, seemed to be a 
desperate undertaking, with little prospect 
of success. But I was resolved upon the 
attempt, and my thoughts were continually 
employed in devising ways and means to 
effect it. I gained upon the confidence of 
the officers daily, and was indulged with 



ill 



OF EBENEZER F0:\, 163 

opportunities of leaving the garrison when- 
ever I chose. 

AvaiUng myself of this privilege, I be- 
came acquainted with all the avenues from 
the town as far as Rock-fort, which was 
situated at the distance of two miles from 
Kingston, on the right-hand side of the road. 
I ascertained that it was a custom to place 
a number of sentries on the left-hand side of 
the road, about the eighth of a mile from the 
fort, in the road to Rock-fort, at a place 
called the '' Plum-tree." 

Deserters who were ignorant of this cir- 
cumstance, were often taken up by the 
sentries, and brought back to the garrison. 
The night before we escaped, five soldiers 
Vv^ere caught in the act of deserting, and 
brought back in the morning while the regi- 
ment were on parade. The poor fellows 
looked the very objects of despair when they 
were delivered up, and put under guard to 
await their trial by a court-martial. 

I had become acquainted with five sol- 
diers, who had been released from military 
duty, because they were mechanics, and 
could make themselves useful in the per- 
formance of various moc)iar.ical services. 



164 REVOLUTION^* RY ADVENTURES 

They enjoyed considerable liberty, but 
did not possess the confidence of the officers 
in so great a degree as I did, having made 
myself useful and agreeable to them by 
personal attention in contributing to their 
comfort and convenience. My knowledge 
of the town and its environs rendered me a 
valuable coadjutor, and gave me more con- 
sequence in the estimation of my comrades, 
than 1 should otherv/ise have had, and made 
me a sort of leader in the enterprise, though 
I was then but about nineteen years of age. 

We had frequent opportunities of being 
together to digest our plan, and to make 
arrangements for putting it into execution. 
About this time I had the good fortune to 
obtain a high degree of confidence, and to 
find great favor in the sight of- the com- 
manding officer, by the exercise of my pro- 
fessional skill in making him wonderfully 
satisfied with himself upon the occasion of a 
military ball. He was so much pleased 
with the improvement I made in his personal 
appearance, that in the fulness of his heart 
he gave me a '• pass to go out v/henever I 
chose till further order«." 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 165 

This was a great privilege, and 1 derived 
great advantages from the use of it. 

The five comrades, =^^ with whom I had 
associated, as I have observed, were mechan- 
ics, two of whom were armorers ; and they 
had obtained from the arsenal two pistols 
and three swords, which were all the wea- 
pons we had: these, together Avith some 
articles of clothing, we had deposited in the 
hut of an old negro, whom we had bribed 
to secrecy. The regiment, stationed at 
Rock-fort, was designated as "Lord Mon- 
tague's men," or the American Rangers, and 
had been recruited in North and South 
Carolina. Their uniform was a short blue 
jacket with white facings. Having made 
all the preparations in our power, we 
appointed the time to commence the t.^- 
tempt. 

Our plan was, to travel across the island, 
and trust to circumstances, which might 
providentially be thrown in our way, to 
escape to the island of Cuba. Our fears 
were not a little excited, when we saw the 

♦ Their names were as follows : John Jones, Abraham Bas- 
sett, James Daly, Joseph Haynes. The name of the mao 
whom we lost the first night of our escape, I have forgottea 



166 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

poor fellows brought back on the morning 
preceding the night we had fixed for om 
undertaking ; especially when we heard th* 
commanding officer declare, "that, what- 
ever might be their fate, the next, who 
should undertake to desert, should be hung.'' 

I had a general pass, as I have beforo 
observed, for myself to go out at pleasure ; 
but it was necessary to obtain a special one 
for my companions, and this duty devolved 
on me. 

In the afternoon, soon after dinner, I 
asked the commanding officer to grant me 
the favor of a pass for five of my acquaint- 
ance to go out to spend the evening, upon 
condition of returning before nine o'clock. 
The officer hesitated for a moment; and 
then, as he signed the pass, said, "I believe 
I can trust you ; but remember that you 
must not come back without them." This 
I readily promised, and I faithfully fulfilled 
the obligation. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 167 



CHAPTER XI. 

About the middle of the week, in the 
month of July, 1782, our little party of six, 
— five Americans, and one Irishman, an ac- 
tive, courageous fellow, — left the town, and 
proceeded to the negro's hut, where we 
received our weapons and clothing, and 
some little store of provisions which we had 
deposited. That afternoon a soldier had 
been buried at Rock-fort, and part of the 
regiment had been out to attend the funeral. 
Seeing these soldiers upon their return, at a 
distance, and fearing that our bundles might 
excite their suspicion, we concluded to sep- 
arate and meet again as soon as the soldiers 
had passed. We escaped their notice, and 
fortunately met together a little time after, 
■ — all but one, who was missing. We waited 
some time, and looked in various directions 
for him, without success. We were afraid 
to remain where we were any longer, as it 
was now past eight o'clock ; and we knew 



'68 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

f we did not return by nine, a party would 
be sent in search of us. 

The man whom we missed was some- 
what intoxicated, and the probabihty was 
that he had lain down and fallen asleep ; or 
perhaps his courage had failed, and he had 
given up the undertaking, and might have 
gone back and given information against 
us. We were satisfied that we could wait 
no longer for him without exposing our- 
selves to great danger, and therefore con- 
cluded to proceed without him. What was 
his fate I have never been able to ascertain. 

We pushed rapidly forward till we had 
got about a mile from Kingston, when we 
entered a small piece of woodland, and 
divested ourselves of our uniform, which 
we had worn with much reluctance, and 
had never ceased to regret having exposed 
ourselves to the necessity of putting on; 
clothed ourselves in tJie sailor garments, 
which we had taken care to provide; cut 
the white binding from our hats ; and were 
soon metamorphosed into much better sail- 
ors, than we had ever been soldiers. 

Having loaded our pistols, we again pro- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 169 

ceeded. We had advanced bnt a few rods. 



when we met a sergeant, belonging to a 
regiment called the Liverpool Blues, who 
had been to Rock-fort to see some of his 
acquaintance, and was then upon his re- 
turn.' It was near the time for stationing 
the guard, as usual, at the place called the 
" Plum-tree." The sergeant hailed us with, 
"Where are you bound, my lads?" We 
answered, "To Rock-fort." 

He replied, " I have just come from there 
and found all well : how goes on the re- 
cruiting at New York? and what is the 
news?" 

A ship had arrived the day previous, 
from New York, and he supposed that we 
were some of the recruits that she had 
brought over. 

We perceived his mistake, and adapted 
our answers to his questions, so as to en- 
courage his delusion. We told him that 
the recruiting went on bravely, and we 
were going to join our regiment at Rock- 
fort. 

The fellow seemed to be in a very happy 
moodj and immediately declared his inten- 
15 



170 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

tion of turning back to show us the way to 
the fort. 

Our situation was rendered very embar- 
rassing by this kind offer ; and to refuse it, 
we feared, would excite suspicion. Our 
generous guide thought he was doing us 
service, when he was leading us directly to 
destruction ; and the idea of killing him, 
while he imagined that he was performing 
a good service for us, was very unpleasant ; 
but it was our only alternative. In a few 
moments the deed would have been done ; 
self-preservation made it necessary; but, 
fortunately for the poor fellow, and much to 
our satisfaction, he suddenly recollected that 
his pass required him to be back to Kings- 
ton by nine o'clock, and, bidding us good- 
night, and telling us that we could not miss 
the way, he left us, and pursued his route 
to Kingston at a rapid pace. 

We thought it important that we should 
get as far from Kingston that night as possi- 
ble, as we should undoubtedly be pursued in 
the morning ; and the sergeant, from whom 
we had just parted, would give information 
of us, as soon as he arrived and ascertained 
that we were deserters. The danger, to 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 



171 



which we had been exposed by our recent 
interview, cast a gloom over our spirits, and 
gave us a realizing sense of the difficulties 
and hazards with which we must contend. 
But go forward we must, for to go back 
would be death. 

We proceeded at a rapid pace for about 
half of a mile farther, when we met with an 
old negro, who hailed us, saying, "Where 
be you going, massa buckra men ?* there be 
a plenty of soldiers a little way a-head; 
they will take you up, and put you on 
board of man-of-war." We told him that 
we had got a pass. The negro replied, 
"Dey no care for dat, dey put you on 
board a man-of-war." He mistook us for 
sailors who were deserting from some ship. 
I had become acquainted with several 
negroes in Kingston, and always found 
them kind and willing to give any informa- 
tion that was in their power to furnish. 
They appeared to feel a sort of sympathy 
for the soldiers and sailors; seeing some 
resemblance between their own degraded 
coniition and that of the miserable military 

* » Buckra man" was the common "ame among tha Ne- 
groes for a white man. 



172 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

and naval slaves of British despotism 
Whatever might be the cause, I always 
found the negroes in and about Kingston 
ready to give every facility to a soldier or 
sailor who wished to desert. We soon 
agreed with the old fellow for a dollar to 
guide us into a path through the woods, by 
following which we should avoid the guard 
at the "Plum-tree," in whose vicinity we 
then were. I had reconnoitred the ground 
sufficiently, previous to this, to be aware of 
the necessity of taking this path, and knew 
about where it was ; but we were sensible 
that a faithful guide, who had a perfect 
knowledge of the ground, would be of great 
service to us, especially in the night. 

After we had entered the woods, we had 
no fear of treachery on the part of our 
guide, as his life was in our hands. The 
fate that awaited him, should he attempt to 
jeopardize our safety, was clearly under- 
stood by him; but, the earnest and sim- 
ple manner in which he declared the sin- 
cerity of his intentions in serving us, put 
at rest in our minds all doubts of his fidelity. 
We followed our guide about a mile, when 
he told us that we had got past the guard, 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 173 

and, giving us directions as to our future 
course, he left us, after having called God 
to witness that he never would inform 
against us. We had no reason to doubt 
that he faithfully kept his promise. 

Our anxiety to escape pursuit determined 
us to use all the expedition we could through 
the night. About midnight, we came to 
one of the many rivulets with which Ja- 
maica abounds. As we were unable to 
determine what its width or depth was in 
the darkness, it was necessary to proceed 
with caution. The tallest of our party was 
sent forward to try to wade across. The 
rest followed in single file, according to our 
respective heights; I, being the shortest, 
brought up the rear. Holding our arms 
and provisions and part of our clothing 
above our heads, we soon arrived on the 
opposite shore. When I was in the middle 
of the river, I found the water up to my 
chin, and was fearful at one time that I 
should be obliged to abandon my bundle, 
and resort to swimming. We travelled in 
our wet clothes the remainder of the night, 
and, towards daylight, we looked round for 
15* 



174 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

some retired spot, where we could secrete 
ourselves during the day, as we considered 
that it would expose us to great hazard, if 
not to certain detection, to travel by day- 
light at so little distance from Kingston as 
we then were. We soon found a secluded 
spo't on the side of a hill thickly set with 
brushwood, well calculated for concealing 
us from the view of any who might pass 
that way. 

In the course of the forenoon, we saw 
from our place of concealment a number 
of negroes pass by, carrying to the market 
at Kingston various articles of country pro- 
duce upon their heads in baskets. We had 
provided for our sustenance a small quan- 
tity of bread and dried herring, sufficient to 
last three days, the time we thought requi- 
site to travel across the island ; of this pro- 
vision we eat sparingly, but suffered much 
for want of water, as we were afraid of 
being seen if we ventured from our hiding- 
p..ace till night, Avhen we cautiously, one at 
a time, crept down to the foot of the hill, 
and quenched our thirst from a small rivu- 
let. 

As soon as it was dark enough to prevent 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 175 

discovery, we left our place of concealment, 
and proceeded on our second night's journey. 

We had been exposed to considerable 
danger the preceding night and day, and 
had suffered much from hunger, and more 
from thirst ; our spirits were depressed, and 
we experienced the wearisomeness that 
arises from a want of sleep. Gloomy fore- 
bodings assailed us ; and we moved on in 
melancholy silence. After having travelled 
three or four hours, we unexpectedly found 
ourselves near a hut, and were alarmed at 
hearing a negro female voice exclaim, 
" Here come a whole parcel of Buckra 
man." We immediately started from the 
spot, and proceeded with all practicable 
speed till we had travelled three or four 
miles, when we sat down to rest, and to 
refresh ourselves with some of our bread 
and dried herring. 

After we had rested about half an hour, 
we renewed our journey with all the speed 
we could exercise; and proceeded without 
interruption till day-light approached, when 
we thought it necessary to find a place for 
concealment during the day. We entered 
the woods at a short distance from the road, 



176 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

where we spent the day, partially satisfying 
our hunger with a scanty portion of bread 
and herring, and some berries, which we 
found, of various kinds ; and amusing our- 
selves with the relation of the dangers we 
had passed through, and speculations upon 
the nature of those which we might te 
called upon to encounter. The day passed 
without any alarm, and as night approached 
we prepared to re-commence our journey. 
Soon after dark, we issued from the woods, 
entered upon the road, and proceeded for 
several hours without meeting with any- 
thing to molest or make us afraid. We oc- 
casionally rested, eat sparingly of our nearly 
exhausted stores, and drank water when 
we could find it, and travelled without in- 
terruption till morning. A place for con- 
cealment during the day was again selected ; 
and, as we had slept but little since we left 
Kingston, we concluded to get all the rest 
we could, and spent the greater part of the 
day in sleep, each one of us in succession 
keeping watch while the others slept. After 
several hours' rest, we found ourselves con- 
siderably refreshed ; and as our small stock 
of provisions was nearly exhausted, and we 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 177 

nad consumed nearly the time we had an- 
ticipated would be required to arrive on tne 
opposite side of the island, we concluded 
tliat we would venture to travel by day- 
light. 

We took the precaution to divide our 
party, three taking one side of the road, a 
little in advance, and two on the other side ; 
keeping a vigilant look-out, in every direc- 
tion. One of our men in advance gave 
notice, some time in the forenoon, that he 
discovered an object at a distance appa- 
rently approaching. We thought it prudent 
to retire from the road to a neighboring 
thicket, till we could ascertain what the 
object was. It proved to be a gentleman on 
horseback, who, by his dress, appeared to 
be an officer of high rank, followed by a 
servant. 

The officer wore a large, gold-laced, 
three-cornered hat, and was richly dressed : 
both he and his servant were well armed. 
As soon as they had passed and were out 
of sight, we left our retreat with the inten- 
tion of proceeding ; but, ffiiding ourselves in 
need of more rest, we penetrated farther 
mto the woods to find a place of repose. 



178 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

Our Strength began to fail for want ol 
food, and we found it necessary to vake 
more frequent opportunities for rest and 
sleep. We gathered a few berries, and, 
having enjoyed a few hours of uninterrupted 
sleep, we felt refreshed, and returned to the 
road to pursue our journey. We travelled 
without interruption till about three o'clock 
in the afternoon, and, while ascending a 
hill, we were alarmed by hearing the sound 
of voices. We stopped, and collected to- 
gether to consult upon what course to 
adopt. In a few moments, we saw coming 
over the hill three stout negroes, armed 
with muskets, which they immediately pre- 
sented to us, and ordered us to stop. 

Our arms, as I have formerly observed, 
consisted of two pistols and three swords; 
upon the pistols we could place but little 
dependence, as they were not in good order ; 
and the swords were concealed under our 
clothes ; to attempt to draw them out would 
have caused the negroes instandy to fire 
upon us. 

They were about ten rods before us, and 
stood in the attitude of taking a deliberate 
aim at us. To run would be certain death 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 179 

to some of us ; we therefore saw no alterna- 
tive but to advance. One of our number, a 
man named Jones, a tall, powerful fellow, 
took a paper from his pocket, and, holding 
it up before him, advanced, with great appa- 
rent confidence in his manner, and the rest 
of us imitated his example. As we ap- 
proached, Jones held out the paper to one 
of them, telling him that it was our pass, 
giving us authority to travel across the 
island. The negroes, as we very well 
knew, were unable to read ; it was therefore 
immaterial what was written upon the 
paper, — 1 believe it v/as an old letter, — as 
manuscript or print was entirely beyond 
their comprehension. While we were ad- 
vancing, we had time to confer with each 
other ; and the circumstances of the moment, 
the critical situation in which we were 
placed, naturally led our minds to one con- 
clusion, to obtain the consent of the negroes 
that we might pursue our journey ; but if 
they opposed our progress, to resort to vio- 
lence, if we perished in the attempt. 

There was something very exciting to 
our feelings in marching up to the muzzles 
of these fellows' guns • to have our progress 



180 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

interrupted when we were, as we supposed, 
so near the end of our journey. Our suffer- 
ings had made us somewhat savage in our 
feehngs ; and we marched up to them with 
that determination of purpose which despe- 
rate men have resolved upon, when }ife, Hb- 
erty, and everything they value is at stake ; 
— all depended upon prompt and decisive 
action. 

This was a fearful moment. The ne- 
groes stood in a row, their muskets still 
presented, but their attention was princi- 
pally directed to the paper which Jones 
held before them; while our eyes were con- 
stantly fixed upon them, anxiously watch- 
ing their motions, and designing to disarm 
them as soon as a favorable opportunity 
should be offered. 

The negroes were large and powerful 
men, while we, though we outnumbered 
them, were worn down by our long march, 
and enfeebled by hunger. In physical 
power we were greatly their inferiors. But 
the desperate circumstances in which we 
were placed inspired us with uncommon 
courage, and gave us an unnatural degree 
of strength. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 181 

We advanced steadily forward, shoulder 
to shoulder, till the breasts of three of us 
were within a few inches of the muzzles of 
their guns. Jones reached forward and 
handed the paper to one of the negroes. He 
took it, and having turned it round several 
times, and examined both sides, and finding 
himself not much the wiser for it, shook his 
head and said, " We must stop you." The 
expression of his countenance, the doubts 
which were manifested in his manner of 
receiving the paper, convinced us, that all 
hope of deceiving or conciliating them was 
at an end. 

Their muskets were still presented, their 
fingers upon the triggers. An awful pause 
of a moment ensued, when we made a sud- 
den and desperate spring forward, and 
seized their muskets ; our attack was so un- 
expected, that we wrenched them from their 
hands before they were aware of our mten- 
tion. The negro, whom I attacked, fired 
just as I seized his gun, but I had fortu- 
nately turned the direction of it, and the 
ball inflicted a slight wound upon my side, 
the scar of which remains to this day. 
16 



182 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

This was the only gun that was discharged 
during this dreadful encounter. 

As soon as it was in my possession, I 
exercised all my strength, more than I 
thought I possessed, and gave him a tre- 
mendous blow over the head with the 
breech, which brought him to the ground, 
from which he never rose. 

I had no sooner accomplished my work, 
when I found my companions had been 
equally active, and had despatched the 
other two negroes in the same space of time. 
None of our party received any injury but 
myself, and my wound I considered as tri- 
fling. 

The report of the gun we were fearful 
would alarm some of our enemies' com- 
rades, who might be in the vicinity, and 
bring them to the spot. We accordingly 
dragged the bodies to a considerable dis- 
tance into the woods, where we buried them 
under a quantity of leaves and brush. In 
tlieir pockets we found a few biscuit, which 
were very acceptable to us in our famished 
condition. 

The best gun was selected, as we did not 
think it necessary to burden ourselves with 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 183 

the others, as they had been injured in the 
conflict. We took what ammunition we 
thought necessary^ and then sought a place 
of rest for the remainder of the day. 

The negroes whom we had encountered, 
belonged to a class called "Cudjoe men," 
who were free, in consequence of some ser- 
vices, which their ancestors, the Maroons, 
agreed to render to the government;* and 
were permitted to inhabit the mountains 
and the northern part of the island. They 
were encouraged to exercise their vigilance 
by the promise of receiving a certain sum 
of money for every fugitive slave they re- 
stored to his master, or soldier whom they 
should arrest as a deserter. We had been 
apprized of the existence of these beings 
Defore we left Kingston, and were in con- 
stant fear of meeting with some of them. 
Their huts were scattered along the three 
roads from Kingston, viz.. Rock-fort road, 
the County road, and the Spanish-town 
road. We avoided as much as possible all 
of these roads, and travelled circuitous 
paths in the woods ; and, having no guide 

'♦= See the Appendix at the end of the book for an account 
of the " Cudjoe-men." 



184 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

and an imperfect compass, we wandered a 
great deal out of the direct way; and much 
of the time travelled considerable distances 
without making any advancement. 

The direct distance across the island is 
about forty or fifty miles, which we could 
have travelled with ease in two days;* but, 

♦ " The island of Jamaica lies about thirty leagues south 
of Cuba. A range of lofty mountains, called the Blue Moun- 
tains, runs through the whole island from east to west, in 
some places seven thousand feet above the level of the sea. 
On the north side of the island the land rises from the shore in 
high swells, which are remarkable for their beauty, being all 
of gentle acclivity, and commonly separated from each other 
by spacious vales and romantic rivulets. Towards the inte- 
rior, the land becomes more elevated, and is clothed with 
almost boundless forests ; and, in the centre of the island, it 
rises into lofty mountains, whose heads are lost in the clouds. 
The southern front of the main ridge of the Blue Mountains 
is generally rough and craggy ; but on the south side are 
several lower ridges, running parallel with the principal one, 
the summits of which are more round and smooth ; and, at 
the foot of the lowest ridge lie vast plains or savannas, 
bounded only by the ocean, and displaying all the pride oi 
the richest cultivation." 

The heights, called the Liguanea mountains, are within six 
miles of Kingston, and I understand that the British regi- 
ments, at present or lately stationed on the island of Jamaica, 
hav3 formed an encampment on them, where they are quar- 
tered when not on other duty. Favored with a salubrious 
atmosphere, these mountains are not only healthy, but capa- 
ble no doubt of being strongly fortified ; j'et an intelligent 
captain of a vessel, who has recently been on the island, in- 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 185 

from the cautious manner we proceeded 
ind the irregular course we pursued, we 
were nearly five days in accompHshing our 
undertaking. Considering our ignorance of 
the interior parts of the island, it has ever 
since been a matter of surprise to me that 
we succeeded in getting across the island ; 
and that we did not perish in the woods. 

Had we travelled upon either of the 
before named roads, instead of threading 
our way through the woods, we should 

forms me that great numbers of the soldiers are injudiciously 
granted leave daily of visiting the populous city of Kingston, 
on condition of returning before night. The sudden change 
of temperature, from the close and heated atmosphere and 
parching sunbeams on the plains, to the bracing and chilling 
evening air of the mountains, the one causing immoderate 
perspiration and a feverish state of the blood, and the other 
hastily and violently closing the pores of the bodies of the 
soldiery on their return to quarters, many of them half-intoxi- 
cated, lays the foundation or is the immediate cause of more 
sickness and death than all other causes put together. 

He says the British officers have contemplated a partial 
prohibition of intercourse between the camp and city, but 
have met with discontent from the soldiers, who are unwilling 
to be deprived of the indulgence, however painful or fatal to 
them in its consequences. 

The population of the island of Jamaica, m 1782, was about 
30,000 whites, 10,000 freed negroes or mulattoes, 1,400 firca 
maroons, and 200,000 negro slaves. 

16* 



186 K EVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

have been overtaken by the parties of sol- 
diers, who were sent in pursuit of us. 1 re- 
ceived information, several years after our 
escape, of the exertions that were used to 
overtake us and carry us back to Kingston. 
A young man, by the name of Hunt, was 
carried into Kingston, as a prisoner, taken 
by a British vessel, the day after our escape. 
Previous to his sailing from Boston, he had 
heard that I was in Kingston ; and when 
made a prisoner, he hoped to obtain some 
assistance from me in his captivity, as we 
had been formerly acquainted. He made 
inquiries of the sergeant of the guard, placed 
over him, respecting me. The sergeant 
replied, that " Fox was fool enough to run 
off last night, with five others ; he had no 
military duty to perform ; all he had to do 
was to shave and dress the officers, and he 
spent most of the time in walking about the 
streets. I suppose they think they will 
show us a Yankee trick ; but they will 
find themselves mistaken, for there are three 
parties out after them, one on each road, 
and they had orders to bring them back 
before night, dead or alive." It seems by 
this account that we must have been taken, 



OF EBLNEZER FOX. 187 

had we not pursued our journey in the 
woods instead of the road. 

To return to my narrative : We lay down 
in the woods, languid and exhausted, after 
the excitement and fatigue from our con- 
test with the negroes, and slept soundly for 
some time, when I suddenly awoke, and 
saw at a little distance from me the head 
of a monstrous serpent, raised several feet 
from the ground, and gazing earnestly upon 
us, with his mouth frightfully distended. I 
was so much alarmed that, at first, I imag- 
ined it to he the "old serpent" himself, and 
immediately awakened my companions. 
But I believe the serpent Avas more alarmed 
than we were, for he darted off among the 
bushes with so much rapidity that I could 
not ascertain his length, but was satisfied 
that the circumference of his body was of 
the size of a man's. 

As it was now nearly dark, we thought 
we would venture again upon our journey. 
Having loaded our musket, the spoils of our 
victory, we entered the road, and, having 
looked around with great caution, and find- 
ing no obstacles in the way to excite any 
apprehension, we started forward. We 



188 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

knew not for a certainty where we were; 
but were satisfied, from the time we had 
consumed in our journey, that we could not 
be at a great distance from the northern 
Bide of the island. 



OF ERENEZER FOX. 189 



CHAPTER XII 

We travelled all night, occasionally stop- 
ping to rest, and refresh ourselves with some 
of the hard hiscnit, which we had found in 
the pockets of the negroes, and a draught of 
water from the springs by the road-side. 

As daylight approached, we found our- 
selves on the summit of a hill, and in sight 
of the ocean. 1 doubt whether Columbus 
and his crew experienced more heart-felt 
joy when they saw the new world, than our 
little party did ^vhen we discovered the sea. 
We could hardly refrain from uttering a 
loud exclamation of joy. Here was an end 
to our wanderings, our fatigue, and suffer- 
ings. We gazed upon the watery expanse 
with feelings of unutterable delight, upon 
Avhose surface we were to be wafted from 
the shores of captivity. 

After we had remained as long as we 
thought prudent upon the eminence, we 
retired to the woods, for concealment duiing 



190 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the day. We needed rest, and slept tne 
greater part of the day. 

We ventured out several times in the 
course of the day to take a peep abroad, but 
with great care that we should not be seen. 
We saw a number of negroes moving about 
in various directions, but were not discov- 
ered by any of them. 

Our plan of operations for the future was 
the subject of much discussion; but we 
arrived at no definite conclusion, excepting 
to avail ourselves of any opportunity that 
should be offered to leave the island. 

We had supposed, although perhaps we 
had no good reason for it, that we might 
find some merchant vessel on the coast, in 
which we might be received as sailors ; as it. 
was difficult to obtain men, and their wages 
were high. 

Before sunset, we left our hiding place, 
after eating the remainder of our bread, and 
proceeded cautiously towards the shore, 
keeping ourselves concealed as much as 
possible behind the bushes. 

We saw a number of huts, scattered along 
the shore, mostly separate, some in small 
clusters. Part of the time during the day, a 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 191 

fog had prevailed, which now cleared away, 
and our prospect was uninterrupted. The 
island of Cuba could just be seen in the 
horizon, at the distance of thirty leagues; 
between that and us lay the ocean, smooth 
and unruffled, and not a sail to whiten its 
surface. 

Dejected and melancholy, we again sought 
our place of concealment, to reflect upon 
our situation, and form some determination 
respecting future operations. To remain 
where we were long, without starving or 
being detected, was impossible ; but how to 
get away was the problem Jo be solved. 
Undetermined what to do, we left our retreat 
again, and the first object that met our 
view upon the water was a sail-boat direct- 
ing her course to the shore near where we 
were. 

Here was a means of escape that Provi- 
der.ce had thrown in our way. Our previous 
despair was now changed into hope, and, 
with spirits suddenly elated, we retreated to 
the bushes to come to some immediate deci- 
sion. 

We resolved ourselves into a committee, 
appointed a moderator, and proceeded to 



192 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

business. The question to be discussed 
was, whether we should attempt to make a 
prize of the boat, and escape to Cuba. 
Without spending much time, as we had 
none to spare, to discuss the question, or to 
hear speeches for, much less against it, we 
put it to vote, and carried it unanimously. 

The wind was blowing from the shore, 
and the boat was consequently beating in 
against the wind. This was a favorable 
circumstance for us, if we could get posses- 
sion of the boat. The undertaking was 
fraught with difficulty and danger, but it 
was our only chance for escape. 

We left our council place, and crept cau- 
tiously down to the shore, keeping concealed 
as much as possible behind the bushes, till 
we arrived near to the point, at which we 
thought the boat was steering. As she was 
beating against the wind, we concluded, if 
the man at the helm could be brought down, 
the boat would luff, which would bring her 
near the shore, when we were immediately 
to spring on board. Jones, being the best 
marksman, took the musket, and seeing that 
it was well loaded and primed, crept as close 
to the edge of the shore as he could without 




I i 






OF EBENEZER FOX. 193 

being discovered by the crew, and lay down, 
'to wait for a good opportiniity to fire at the 
man at the helm. The rest of us kept as 
near to him as possible. 

Every circumstance seemed to favor our 
design. The negroes were all in their huts, 
and everything around was quiet and still. 

The boat soon approached near enough 
for Jones to take a sure aim; and we scarcely 
breathed as we lay extended on the ground, 
waiting for him to perform the duty assigned 
him. 

In a few moments, bang went the gun, 
and down went the negro from the helm 
into the bottom of the boat ; and, as we had 
anticipated, the helm being abandoned, the 
boat luffed up in the wind and was brought 
close to the shore, which was bold, and the 
water deep enough to float her. The instant 
the gun was fired, we were upon our feet, 

I and in the next moment up to our waists in 

, the water alongside of the boat. 

I No time was lost in shoving her about, 

and getting her bows from the land. There 

was a fresh breeze from the shore ; the sails 

filled ; and the boat was soon under a brisk 

17 



194 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

headway. I remained in the water the 
last, and, as I attempted to get on board, 
my hands slipped from my hold on the gun- 
wale, and I fell into the water. I heard an 
exclamation, "Good God! Fox is lost I'" 
from one of our party; but as the boat 
swept by me, I caught with my middle 
finger in the noose of a rope that hung over | 
the stern, and was seized by the cape of my j 
jacket and drawn into the boat by the 
powerful arm of Jones, who Avas managing 
the helm. All that I have described was 
apparently the work of a moment. Nevei 
did men use greater exertions than we did 
at this time. 

The report of Jones' gun alarmed the I 
negroes, and brought them from their huts 
in all directions down to the shore, armed 
with muskets and clubs, and full of rage 
and fury. They waded out after us, up to 
their chins in the water; and fired volley 
after volley, as fast as they could load. 
The bullets fell thickly around us, but 
fortunately none of us were injured. Oui 
progress was so rapid, that we were soon 
out of reach of their shot ; but, as soon as 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 195 

we could find time, we loaded our gun and 
gave one parting salute. 

Our attention was next directed to the 
disposal of the crew of the boat we had 
captured, consisting of three men and a boy. 
As soon as we sprang into the boat, they 
fled with terror and amazement into a sort 
of cabin in the bow, where they still re- 
mained. 

It was no wonder that they were fright- 
ened, attacked so suddenly by an enemy, 
Avho, as it seemed to them, had arisen all at 
once from the bowels of the earth or the 
depths of the ocean. 

Whether the head of the negro at the 
helm was bullet-proof, or whether the ball 
approached so near to it as to frighten him 
into insensibihty, we never knew; but we 
found him prostrate in the bottom of the 
boat, when we entered it, apparently dead; 
but, to our gratification, we soon found that 
he was alive, and not a curl of his wool dis- 
composed. 

He was soon upon his knees, supplicatmg 
mercy, in which attitude and tone he was 
followed by the rest of the crew as we called 



196 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

them from their hiding place. Had we 
been disposed to do an unjust action, v/e 
had an opportunity of reahzing a consider- 
able sum of money, by carrying them to 
Cuba and selling them for slaves. 

The temptation was great to men destitute 
of funds as we were; but our moral sense 
overcame the temptation, and we gave tliem 
their choice to proceed with us on our 
voyage, or expose themselves to the hazard 
of drowning by attempting to swim ashore. 
They accepted the latter proposition with 
much gratitude, and were soon swimming 
lustily for the shore, from which we were at 
the distance of more than a mile, where we 
saw them all safely arrive. 

We felt some anxiety respecting the 
ability of the boy to swim so far ; but, as he 
was desirous of going with them, two of our 
men took him by his arms and legs, and 
gave him a regular yo-hoi-ho heave; and 
we had the satisfaction of seeing the little 
fellow shaking the water from his curly pate 
upon the shore, before his companions had 
landed. 

The negroes collected around them m 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 197 

great numbers after they landed, probably 
to hear their account of the transaction ; and 
to obtain information concerning our mten- 
tions and destination. 

We felt animated by our success. We 
found the boat in good order ; and, with a 
fresh breeze, we made rapid progress. We 
found a plenty of provisions in the boat, 
with which, for the first time for five days, 
we abundantly satisfied our hunger. 

It was now nearly dark, and we had got 
a considerable distance from the shore ; but 
we continued to watch the movements of 
the negroes with anxiety, lest they should 
pursue us. After the negroes had held a 
short consultation together, we saw them all 
start off with great rapidity towards a point 
of land, under which we thought we could 
see something lying, that had the appear- 
ance of a vessel. As the negroes ran ir that 
direction, we had no doubt that they had 
some plan in contemplation in relation to 
our capture. Our fears and conjectures 
were soon reduced to a matter of fact ; for 
we had proceeded but a little distance far- 
ther, when we came in plain sight of a 
17* 



198 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

schooner at anchor. AVe could see the 
negroes rush on board of her, and could just 
discern, or our fears caused us to imagine it. 
the uplifted axe, which cut away the cable 
and liberated her from her moorings. The 
schooner was soon under weigh, and sailing 
in a direction to cut us off; but we trusted 
that the approaching darkness would in a 
short time conceal us from thcsight of our 
pursuers. As the schooner was a large 
object, compared with our little boat, wt 
could see her long after we were invisible to 
them. After being satisfied of the course 
the schooner was taking, we thought the 
best way to avoid her would be to put 
about directly for Jamaica. 

We sailed in this direction till we sup- 
posed that our enemy had got considerably 
past the course for us to pursue, when we 
again put about, and steered as directly as 
we were able for Cuba. The sails of our 
boat consisted of a small jib, and a sort of a 
square sail; and, the breeze being quite 
fresh, they were well filled, and our progress 
was rapid. 

In the morning, when from the hill we 
discovered what we supposed to be Cuba, 



OF EBENEZER FCX. 



199 



we ascertained its bearing from Jamaica, by 
our little compass ; and now directed oui 
course to the point, where we should find a 
ilace of safety. 

Once, during the night, we were alarmed 
by a noise like the sound of voices, and 
thought that the schooner was near us. We 
saw her, or imagined so ; but could not 
determine with certainty whether it was a 
reality or the result of our excited imagina- 
tions. 

We sailed without interruption through 
the night, and, from the rapidity with which 
we had passed through the water, we con- 
cluded we could not be a great distance 
from the land. As soon as daylight ap- 
proached we espied the shore, and lost no 
time in making for it. Shortly after, we 
saw, at a considerable distance, the schooner, 
apparently steering for Jamaica. They dis- 
j' covered us, and altered their course directly 
) for us. Their approach, however, excited 
1 no alarm in our minds now, for we were 
Bure that we could run our boat on shore 
before they could come up with us. Their 
1 kind intentions were manifested in the com- 
pliment of a few salutes from a swivel, 



200 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

which proved as harmless as the courtesy 
we endeavored to shovv'- them hy half a 
dozen salutes from the musket which had 
previously done us more faithful service. 
The schooner soon gave up the chase, '' and 
left us alone in our glory." 

As we approached the shore, we saw six 
or eight men running down towards us, and 
making signs for us to keep off, and to go 
round a point of land to the leeward. 
We were satisfied that their motive was 
friendly, as, at that part of the shore, a 
heavy surf was running, which would have 
made it very dangerous for us to have 
attempted to land. 

After we had passed round the point, we 
lay to, till we were hoarded by four or five 
Spaniards, who came off in a small boat. 
We knew as little of their language as they 
of ours ; but, by a variety of gesticulations, 
and often repeating the words, America, 
Jamaica, Kingston, &c., we made them com- 
prehend, in some degree, our circumstances. 

They saw that we were in distress, and 
probably were not unwilling to appropriate 
our boat to their use. 

It was easy for them to perceive by our 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 201 

looks that we had suffered much from fatigue 
and hunger; the last two days we had 
endured as much as human nature was 
capable of sustaming, and the effects were 
visible in our appearance. They took us 
on shore, carried us to a hut, where they 
placed before us a plentiful supply of pork 
and pease, together with a large bowl of 
beans. This was the first comfortable meal 
we had enjoyed since we left Kingston, and 
we enjoyed it in peace without any fear of 
interruption. 

We eat to our stomachs' content, and then 
were left alone to obtain some sleep, of 
which we were in great need, having been 
nearly as destitute of that, as we had been 
of food, for the last six days. We slept 
soundly till past noon. 

I think I have never since enjoyed a more 
satisfactory meal or more refreshing sleep 
than I did that day. No care for the future 
crossed our minds. Our dangers were pass- 
ed, our object was accomplished. We felt 
ourselves free men. When we reflected 
upon the events of the last six days; the 
hazard to which we had been exposed ; the 
desperate encounters we had maintained: 



202 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

onr hair-breadth escapes; our hearts were 
filled with gratitude to Him, who overrules 
all things, and by whose goodness we had 
been preserved. 

Enlisting in the British service I had never 
ceased to regret, from the moment I left the 
old Jersey prison- ship. There was some- 
thing revolting to the mind of an American 
in the reflection of being subject to the 
authority of the oppressors of his country. 
It was a thraldom, from which I was deter- 
mined to be liberated. My mind was occu- i 
pied with this intention; danger and death \ 
were minor considerations, compared with \ 
the accomplishment of this object. It was 
accomplished ; we awoke, and rejoiced that 
we were free. But much remained to be 
done ; and although we were safe from pur- 
suit, we were strangers in a strange land, 
far from our native soil, and ignorant of 
what means were in our power to return to 
our own country. 

The people around appeared to be friendly, 
but still they looked upon us with suspicion ; ' 
and, though they did not treat us like prison- ^ 
ers, they watched our motions with some 



OF EBENEZER F0# 203 

degree of vigilance. When we went out of 
the hut, where we had been so hospitably- 
entertained, we found a large collection of 
Spaniards, who, by the language common to 
man, questioned us respecting whence we 
came, who we were, and whither we wished 
to go. To all of these questions we replied 
as well as we were able, by gestures and 
grimaces, making ourselves as intelligible to 
them as they did to us. 

It was evident to us, that our friends 
were desirous of our departure, and were 
willing to offer us every facility to favor 
their wishes. We reciprocated their good 
feelings, and were as anxious to leave them 
as they were to bid us farewell. 

Pork, pease, and beans, were again set 
before us, upon which we made a sumptu- 
ous repast, and felt ourselves surprisingly 
recruited. Our friends then directed our 
attention to a small vessel, lying up a creek, 
close under the land, which was ready to 
sail for St. Domingo, now called Hayti. 
They engaged a passage for us in this 
vessel, which was of about fifty tons' burden, 
and ligged like a lugger. 



204 REvdfuTIONARY ADVENTURES 

We weighed anchor about sunset, but, as 
it was foggy, our progress was at Ikst rather 
slow. After a sail of three days, we ap ^ 
proached the island of St. Domingo in the 
night, and lay off till the next day, when, 
the wind proving favorable, we --un into 
port, and dropped anchor in the t^arbor of 
Cape Frangois, now Cape Henri. 

During this short voyage, we received 
much kind treatment from the captain and 
crew, being plentifully supplied with provi- 
sions, and permitted to enjoy as much rest 
as we desired. 

With recovered strength and spirits, we 
prepared to leave the vessel ; and, with grati- 
tude to the captain for his kindness, and to 
God for his mercies, we went on board of 
the American frigate Flora, of thirty-two- 
guns, commanded by Henry Johnson, Esq., 
of Boston. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 205 



CHAPTER XIII. 

In the year 1778, Count d'Estaing, with 
his fleet, approached Newport, II. I., with 
the intention of attacking the British, who 
were in possession of that place. The Brit- 
ish destroyed their frigates in the harbor, to 
prevent their falling into the hands of the 
enemy. The Orpheus, Lark, Juno, and 
Cerberus frigates, they burned ; the Flora 
and the Falcon they sunk. The Americans 
afterwards raised the Flora, and fitted her 
up for service against her former masters. 
This frigate 1 found anchored in the harbor 
of Cape Henri. 

The sight of the thirteen stripes and stars, 
floating over an American frigate, gave ani- 
mation to our thoughts and actions. We 
felt sure of safety and protection. With 
much exultation and satisfaction, we stepped 
upon the deck of the Flora. We could 
hardly realize that we were the same men, 
who, a few days before, were fleeing through 
18 



20G REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

the woods of Jamaica, like beasts of night, 
avoiding the Hght of day, and afraid of the 
sight of a negro. When we compared our 
present condition with what it had been 
during the greater part of the past year ; in 
confinement on board of that " floating hell," 
the "Old Jersey;" in garrison, serving the 
enemy of our country, with feelings of dis- 
gust and despondency; fugitives from that 
enemy, under circumstances that rendered 
our escape almost hopeless, with the cer- 
tainty of death in case of detection ; when 
we thought of all this, and found ourselves 
standing erect, among our own countrymen, 
upon the deck of an American frigate, we 
almost doubted our personal identity; our 
feelings may be more easily imagined than 
described. 

Captain Johnson received us kindly, and 
was willing to employ us for the voyage at 
a compensation of ten dollars per month; 
but, when my comrades were informed that 
the vessel was not going directly to Boston ; 
that she would visit France first, and might 
stay there some time, they declined engag- 
ing in her service. Two of them belonged 
to Connecticut, one to Rhode-Island, and 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 207 

the other was an Irishman. They suc- 
ceeded m finding a vessel that was bound 
to some port near home, and whose voyage 
would be less circuitous than that of the 
Flora. I was the only one of our little 
party, who had suffered so much together, 
who entered into the service of Captain 
Johnson. I was as anxious to get home as 
my companions ; but there was a degree of. 
safety on board of the Flora, which 1 could 
not expect on board of a merchant ship. 

I likewise felt some desire of visiting 
France ; and I entertained some hope that 
we might make some captures in the course 
of the voyage ; for I had not yet rested long 
enough after my sufferings to cultivate the 
Christian spirit of "forgiveness to my ene- 
mies." I felt willing to encounter the haz- 
ard of an engagement, for an opportunity to 
pay off some old scores, which I fancied 
were then their due. 

I received from our noble captain two 
months' wages in advance, and, being des- 
titute of everything necessary for the voyage, 
excepting the miserable clothes which I 
wore, I was permitted to go on shore to 
make the purchases that I thought requisite. 



208 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

As my companions had determined not to 
engage in the service of the Flora, but to 
seek for a berth on board of some other ves- 
sel, I knew that I must experience the pain- 
ful task of separation from those who were 
endeared to me as fellow-sufferers in afflic- 
tions and dangers. The ties of friendship 
which united us, were too strong to be 
easily broken. The circumstances which 
had engaged us in one common cause, had 
created a fraternal feeling in our breasts too 
deep to be soon obliterated. We concluded 
to grace our parting with a farewell supper. 
We adjourned to a pubhc house, and gave 
directions for a sumptuous repast; and.^ 
while it was preparing, we regaled our- 
selves upon a few bottles of claret, in order 
to elevate our spirits to a proper degree, that 
the gloomy thoughts of our separation might 
not allow our supper to be a melancholy 
one. By the time the feast was prepared, 
our spirits were raised to a proper state for 
enjoyment ; and a happier or more jolly set 
of fellows never assembled around a table, 
than we were that night. 

The sufferings we had endured, and the 
6 angers we had passed, were fruitful sub* 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 209 

jects for conversation. We eat and drank 
till a late hour, when we arose from the 
table, and, grasping each other by the hand, 
and with feelings that touched our hearts, 
we said to each other, •• God bless you — 
farewell." To me this was a final farewell 
to my companions; from that time to the 
present I have never seen one of them, nor 
have I ever heard what became of them. 

As they were all older than myself, it is 
not probable that any of them are now 
among the living. If they are, I repeat the 
farewell wish, which I gave fifty-six years 
ago — '* God bless you ! " 

The next day, after I had purchased 
what articles of clothing I thought necessary 
for the voyage, I went on board of the 
Flora, and reported myself ready for duty. 

This ship, as I have observed, was for- 
merly a British frigate, but, after she was 
raised by the Americans, she was fitted out 
as a letter-of-marque, and sent by her own- 
ers on the present voyage. 

With mingled feelings of happiness, grati- 
tude and pride, I entered into the service 
of my country once more, and stepped with 
IS* 



210 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

much satisfaction upon the deck of this fine 
ship. CaptaLi Johnson was an excellent 
officer; very affable and courteous in his 
manners ; and much beloved by his officers 
and crew. 

If anythmg could add to the satisfaction 
I experienced in finding myself on board of 
an American ship, commanded by agreeable 
officers, and surrounded by a crew princi- 
pally of my own countrymen, it was the 
circumstance of finding several Bostonians. 
with whom I had formerly been partially 
acquainted. Among these was Mr. Na- 
thaniel Craft, of Roxbury, who afterwards 
died at Bordeaux ; and Samuel G. Perkins, 
Esq., of Boston, then a young man, brother 
of the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins, distin- 
guished for his philanthropy and benevo- 
lence. How different is the character of 
this last-named gentleman from that of 
many others, who have lived apparently for 
the sole purpose of leaving to their heirs the 
inheritance of a bloated fortune ; to quarrel 
about its division, and then perhaps to dis- 
sipate, in a {q\v years, what has cost their 
fathers the labor of a long life to accumu- 
late! Of these all that can be said is, — 



i^ 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 211 

they lived — they died, — and their names 
have perished with them. 

" Even half a million 

Gets him no other praise" 

He toiled and moiled, 

Poor muckworm ! through his threescore years and ten, 
And when the earth shall now be shovelled on him, 
If that which served him for a soul were still 
Within its husk, 't would still be dirt to dirt. 

Having amassed a princely fortune, Mr. 
Perkins manifests the benevolence of his 
heart in the liberal use he makes of it ; not 
in op^tentation and parade, but for the bene- 
fit of his fellow-creatures. He enjoys the 
?jatisfaction of doing good, and of seeing the 
fruits of his goodness while he lives. He 
does not wait for his works to follow him; 
he has the pleasure of seeing them go before 
him. He does not wait for his children to 
''rise up and call him blessed;" he hears 
the blessings of grateful Iiearts, and feels a 
consciousness of having been a faithful 
steward. 

When I pass through Pearl-street, and 
look upon his noble bequest, " The Institu- 
tion for the Blind," ^ and reflect upon what 
p. vast amount of happiness he has conferred 

* Since removed to South Boston. 



212 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

upon those unfortunate beings, from whom 
the blessing of light has been shut, I cannot 
but think that he will receive a more glori- 
ous reward than he enjoys on earth ; a wel- 
come into mansions of rest where peace and 
righteousness forever reign. 

To return to my narrative : There were 
lying in the port of Cape-Francois, while 
we were there, several Spanish and French 
ships of war, in want of men, waiting till 
they could obtain their complement, with 
the intention of sailing in quest of the Brit- 
ish fleet. 

The Sunday previous to our sailing, I, 
with several of the crew, obtained permission 
to go on shore. It was customary then in 
foreign ports to allow the sailors to make 
use of Sunday as a day of recreation. 
While we were enjoying ourselves 'over a 
bottle of wine in a public house, a large 
press-gang of Frenchmen suddenly entered, 
and, seizing upcn all of us, hurried us off 
mto their boat ; and, notwithstanding our 
protestations against this outrage upon 
Americans, conveyed us on board of a 
French seventy-four. We immediately made 
known to the captain that we belonged to 

i 

i 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 213 

the Flora, and demanded to be released. 
But he showed no disposition to comply 
with our demands, saying that he was m 
want of hands, and that we should receive 
^s good pay and treatment on board of his 
ihip as in our own. 

This was poor consolation for us. It was 
provoking as well as distressing to be thus 
{mprisoned, as it were, in sight of our own 
ship; but, having no communication with 
her, we could not give any information of 
our situation. We knew that the combined 
6eet was to sail in a few days;* and 
although we had no objections to fighting 
our old enemy, the British, we yet had 
some choice as it respected the company 
we fought in, and had but little desire to 
obey the orders of French officers, or to 
mingle our blood with that of their crew. 

My desire to get away from this ship was 
as great as it had formerly been to escape 
from the British at Kingston ; and the diffi- 
culty of eifecting it appeared about as for- 
midable. It was vain to regret that I did 

* The combined fleet sailed shortly after, under the com- 
mand of the Count de Grasse, and were nearly all taken oi 
•lestroyed by the British fleet. 



214 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

not spend the Sabbath on board of the 
Flora, instead of carousing at a public 
house on shore. My regret was sinceie; 
and I resolved never to be guiUy of such 
imprudence again, were I once more safe 
on board of our good ship. 

Of our impressed party, consisting of four 
or five, not one could swim except myself. 
We conferred together, and came to the 
conclusion that the only chance we had for 
escape consisted in my attempting to swim 
in the night to the Flora, Avhich lay about 
a quarter of a mile from the seventy-four. 
I had no fear of not being able to swim that 
distance; the only danger I apprehended 
was from the sharks, which were very 
abundant in those waters. 

I agreed with my companions, that this 
appeared to be the only practicable method 
of escape; and, after some urging on their 
part, and some flattery of the honor I should 
gain by the achievement, I concluded to 
undertake it that night. 

Late at night I went on deck, accom- 
panied by one of my friends, and, finding 
the sentinel asleep, we went forward, and 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 216 

divesting myself of my jacket, but keeping 
on my hat, shirt, and trousers, I slid down 
by the cable quietly into the water, and 
struck out for the Flora. 

Of all the dangers to which I had been 
exposed in the course of my adventures, I 
consider this the greatest. The horror of 
mind I experienced, whilst swimming, is 
indescribable. My agitation was so great, 
that I wonder that I did not sink, through 
fear of being devoured. I imagined a shark 
at my feet every time I threw them out. I 
exerted myself with so much vigor, that in 
a very short time I was alongside of the 
Flora, but in so exhausted a state, that I 
could hardly raise myself over the side 
of the boat which floated alongside of 
the ship. I threw myself into the bottom, 
from which I was scarcely able to move for 
some time. 

After I had recovered a sufficient degree 
of strength, I ascended the side of the ship, 
and, findmg no one on deck, I lay down in 
my wet clothes, and putting my hat under 
my head, slept soundly all night. 

When I awoke in the morning, I found 



216 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

that I was unable to move in consequence 
of my clothes adhering to the pitch, which 
the heat of the climate caused to ooze from 
the seams in the deck. By using considera- 
ble exertion, and rolling one way and the 
other, I at length liberated myself from my 
confinement, and stood erect once more on 
the deck of an American ship. 

I immediately communicated to Captain 
Johnson the cause of my absence and the 
situation of my companions, and their great 
desire to be again on board of his ship, and 
the hazardous undertaking I had accom- 
plished to give him information of the cir- 
cumstances. 

Captain Johnson immediately sent an 
officer with his boat, and demanded the 
release of his men. The captain of the 
French seventy-four gave them up and 
made many apologies, in the polite manner 
of a Frenchman, for " the mistake that was 
made in impressing his friends the Ameri- 
cans." Thus I had the satisfaction of be- 
ing the instrument in restoring my country- 
men to their ship, and of finding myself 
safe in the protection of our excellent com- 
mander. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 217 

Having taken in our loading of sugar, 
and everything being ready for sea, we 
hoisted anchor, and set sail about the mid- 
dle of May, 1782. The first few days after 
leaving the Cape, we had but little wind; 
afterwards we made good progress, and 
continued on our course without mterrup- 
tion for about a fortnight ; when we fell in 
with a British brig from Liverpool, bound 
to New York. We took possession of her, 
and, putting an officer and prize crew on 
board, ordered her for Boston, where she 
arrived. I afterwards received thirty dol- 
lars as my share of the prize-money. 

We continued on our voyage, and, in 
eight days after, captured a large ship 
bound to Quebec, loaded with munitions of 
war and clothing for soldiers, a very valua- 
ble prize. She was ordered for Boston, but, 
unluckily for us, never arrived there, being 
afterwards recaptured, by a British ship of 
war, off the Banks of Newfoundland. Had 
she arrived safely at Boston, my share of 
the prize-money would have amounted to a 
considerable sum. 

It was nearly three weeks after, when 
19 



218 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

we arrived off the coast of France, and, 
having taken a pilot on board, our ship was 
carried up the Garonne to the city of Bor- 
deaux, where, on account of the rapidity of 
the current, she was moored both head and 
stern. 

Our ship was soon unloaded, and stripped 
of her sails and rigging, as preparatory to 
her being laid up till orders could be re^ 
ceived from Boston. Part of the crew were 
paid off and discharged ; the remainder, that 
chose, were permitted to remain on board 
upon small wages. Captain Johnson hired 
a house in the city, where he lived with his 
servants in a style becoming the dignity of 
the commander of a fine American ship. 

As the Flora was a fast-sailing vessel, 
our captain was in expectation of receiving 
orders from home to fit her out as a cruiser. 
In the hope of having another cruise, and 
anticipating an abundance of captures with 
the naturs' consequence resulting, — an enor- 
mous ainonnt of prize-money, — I was will- 
ing to remain in the ship, with the expecta- 
tion of being one of her favored crew. We 
remained at Bordeaux about nine months, 
ani began to grow impatient at not receiv- 



OF tBENEZER FOX. 219 

ing any directions from home respecting qui 
future operations. 

When we arrived at Bordeaux, we found 
in the harbor, which is very capacious, five 
or six hundred vessels, bearing the flags of 
various nations, among which our stars and 
stripes held a conspicuous place. As we 
had but little work to perform on board of 
the ship, much of our time was spent on 
shore. 

With the improvidence characteristic of 
sailors, our money was spent freely; and in 
a few days almost every one of the crew 
graced his pocket with a watch, from which 
a formidable chain was suspended ; and, to 
complete the equipment, adorned his head 
with a new hat trimmed with a broad band 
of gold lace. 

When we made a visit on shore, we were 
very careful to return to the ship before 
dark, partly on account of the patrol that 
paraded the streets at night, but principally 
in consequence of the danger of being on the 
river after dark. The current of the Ga 
ronne is extremely rapid. With the help 
of the tide, we ascended the river to Bor- 



220 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

deaux in three or four days; anchoring 
every time the tide ebbed. The tide rises 
twice a day to the height of four or five 
yards, and the velocity of the current some- 
times exceeds three yards in a second. Bor- 
deaux, from its commerce and importance, 
ranks among the first towns in the kingdom, 
and its harbor is capable of containing a 
thousand ships. 

One night, a number of our crew, after 
having spent the day on shore, attempted to 
return to the ship after dark. The boat 
pushed off with four oars, directing her 
course for the head of the vessel. She 
arrived at the starboard bow, and was cross- 
ing it so as to bring up on the larboard side, 
when she unfortunately ran upon the cable, 
and was immediately drawn under the ship. 
A boat was let down as soon as possible, and 
all the men picked up but one, who was 
drowned. The boat floated off, but was 
found the next day and brought back to the 
ship. 

Having visited nearly every part of the 
city, and seen all the wonders of the place, 
and spent nearly all our money ; we began 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 221 

to grow tired of our monotonous life, and 
were desirous of being engaged in active 
service, or of returning to our native land. 
Twelve or fifteen American vessels were 
then lying in the port, waiting for orders 
from home. Among these I recollect the 
large ship which was commanded by the 
renowned John Paul Jones, in whose service 
the American seamen were desirous of 
engaging 

19* 



222 REVOLUTIONARY ADYENTUEES 



CHAPTER XIV. 

We began to grow impatient with ouf 
long stay in France, and became anxious to 
return home. 

An end was soon put to our anxieties 
upon this subject. Early in the spring of 
the year 1783, news arrived of the peace, 
and that Great Britain, after a contest of 
seven years, had acknowledged the Indepen- 
dence of the United States. This news 
ought to have produced as much joy and 
satisfaction among the Americans in Bor- 
deaux, as it did among their fellow-country- 
men at home. But this news, so highly 
prized in the United States, produced much 
misery and distress among the seamen in 
foreign ports. A small number of them 
only v/ere necessary to navigate the ships 
upon their return ; the remainder were of 
course discharged, and left destitute oi 
means to enable them to return to their own 
country. He considered himself fortunate 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 223 

who could obtain a passage home for the 
iabor he might perform, without receiving 
any other compensation for his services. 

Our excellent captain, Johnson, made 
great exertions to procure passages for those 
of his crew whom he did not wish to detain 
till he received orders respecting the future 
destination of his ship, and who were anxious 
to get home. There happened at this time 
to be on a visit to Bordeaux, the captains of 
two American brigs, lying at Nantes, bound 
for Boston, who were in want of hands. 
These gentlemen wished to obtain sixteen 
or eighteen American seamen, and Captain 
Johnson kindly offered to recommend me 
among that number. 

We engaged in the service of these cap- 
tains, and made a bargain with the captain 
of a French lugger to carry us to Nantes. 
We immediately repaired on board, and 
proceeded slowly down the river, as the cur- 
rent is so swift that it is necessary for a 
vessel to go down the river stern foremost, 
dragging an anchor all the time from her 
bows to retard her too rapid progress. We 
were nearly three days in getting down the 



224 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

river, and about as much longer in our pas- 
sage to Nantes. 

Nantes, which held the second rank, after 
Bordeaux, as a commercial city, is on the 
right bank of the Loire. It is admired for 
the regularity of its streets, the elegance of 
its public buildings, and the magnificence 
of its quays. 

The verdant banks of the river, and the 
many islands scattered in differejit directions, 
give Nantes a picturesque and beautiful 
appearance. 

After our arrival at Nantes, we took lodg- 
ings at a boarding-house for a few days, 
until everything was arranged for our recep- 
tion on board of the brigs. 

In a few days the vessels were loaded, and 
ready to sail. We weighed anchor, and 
set sail in April, 1783. 

We were two days in getting down the 
river, and anchored for a few days at Paim- 
boBuf, a town situated on the left bank of 
the Loire, about thirty miles below Nantes. 

We then weighed anchor, for the last 
time, with a joyful " Yeo-a-hoi," and set 
sail for our native land; — a land of free* 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 225 

dom, where I anticipated, with emotions 
that cannot be described, the pleasure of 
meeting with relations and friends, from 
whom I had been so long absent, and where 
I hoped to enjoy the sweets of liberty, with- 
out anything " to molest or make me afraid." 
I had endured much hardship ; encountered 
many dangers on the ocean and upon the 
land ; and I trust that I had felt grateful for 
the support and protection I had experi- 
enced. 

After all my wanderings, I found that I 
coveted rest, in my dear native land, more 
than all other things. In the morning of 
life, as I then was, full of health and strength 
and buoyant spirits, the idea of once more 
seeing home gave so much animation to my 
feelings, that I was enabled to perform my 
duties with a degree of alacrity scarcely 
equalled by any of the crew. Every little 
service I could perform was a pleasure to 
me, as I was conscious that it helped to for- 
ward my onward course to the object of all 
my wishes — Home. 

" There is a spot of earth supremely blest, 
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest, 



22(5 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

^Vhere man, creation's tyrant, casts aside 
His sword and sceptre, pageantry and pride. 
Here woman reigns ; the mother, daughter, wife, 
Strew with fresh flowers the narrow path of life. 
Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found? 
Art thou a man ? a patriot 7 look around : 
Oh, thou shalt find, howe'er thy footsteps roam. 
That land thy country, and that spot thy home." 

Our voyage was a pleasant one, and 
nothing uncommon occurred, till we arrived 
on the American coast, when we fell in 
with six or eight British ships, bound to 
England. 

Their decks were covered with the well- 
knoAvn ''red coats," who had survived the 
attempt to conquer our country. 

As our flag of stripes and stars was con- 
spicuously displayed, they knew that we 
were "Yankees," with whom they showed 
no desire to continue an acquaintance. 

Our captain hailed them to know "whence 
they were from, and whither bound?" but 
no answer was returned. Again he repeated 
his question ; but his Yankee curiosity was 
not gratified. He once more put his trumpet 
to his mouth and roared with a voice like 

thunder, " Go and be , we neither leva 

nor fear you." 



OF EBENEZER FOX 227 

Our course was directed to Boston^ and, 
sliortly after our captain's friendly saluta- 
tion, we anchored in Nantasket roads, and 
in a few days arrived in Boston. 

I stepped ashore on Long- wharf, in the 
latter part of May, 1783, after an absence 
of about three years. 

As soon as I could get released from the 
vessel, I visited my brother James, at Mr. 
Tuckerman's, where he had lived during 
my absence, to obtain information respect- 
ing my good mother and my brothers and 
sisters. 

From him I received the pleasing intelli- 
gence, that the family were all in good 
health; but that my mother had given up all 
hope of ever seehig me again on earth. 
While walking over Boston Neck to Rox- 
bury, where my mother still resided, my 
brother and 1 arranged a plan to introduce 
me to my mother as a sailor, who had just 
arrived from a foreign port, Avhere he had 
seen her son Eben., and had some interest- 
ing information to communicate concerning 
him. We soon arrived at the house, and I 
was formally introduced in the manner pro- 



228 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

posed. Time, hardship, and exposure to 
various cHmates, had produced such an 
alteration in my personal appearance, that it 
is no wonder that the eye of maternal affec- 
tion did not recognize me. The good old lady 
received me very kindly, and manifested all 
the interest, which it is natural for a mother 
to feel towards one who has seen and con- 
versed with a long-absent son. 

After having conversed with her for some 
time, and endeavored to answer a multitude 
of questions, which soon grew too minute 
for my ingenuity to invent answers satis- 
factory to her, I could no longer conceal my 
impatience to make myself known, and 
exclaimed, as I arose to embrace her, 
" Mother, don't you know your son 7'^ 

Her joy may be more easily imagined 
than described. I was at home. The alter- 
nate hopes and fears, that had so long 
agitated her mind, were now all over. She 
saw me alive and well. It was sufficient ; 
she was satisfied and happy. 

She shed tears of gratitude and joy, and 
we both blessed God that we were permitted 
to be united in a family circle once more. 
My four brothers and three sisters, as well 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 229 

as my mother, were all anxious to hear me 
relate my adventures, with which 1 gratified 
their curiosity as soon as I was able, and 
which produced many exclamations of fear, 
of horror, of amazement, and joy. 

My story was related at that time to all 
my acquaintance, and it has been so often 
repeated in the course of my long life, that 
all its incidents are so strongly impressed 
upon my mind, that, at this distant period, 1 
can bring them up in my thoughts with all 
the freshness of recent transactions. 

While I was on board of the ship Flora, 
in the harhor of Cape Frangois, I wrote a 
few lines to my mother, informing her of 
my escape from Jamaica, &c. ; and this was 
all the information she had ever obtained 
concerning me, excepting a knowledge of 
the fact of my having left the '' old Jersey" 
and enlisted in the British service. 

A circumstance transpired, during my 
absence, highly gratifying and flattering to 
my feelings, as it served to show me that 
the poor, wandering boy had friends at 
home, who manifested a lively interest in his 
welfare. 

20 



230 REVOLU'j lONARY ADVENTURES 

Before I enlisted on board of the Protector. 
I had recommended myself to the notice of 
many respectable gentlemen, who were cus- 
tomers to my master, and have reason to 
think that my services were acceptable to 
them. 

These gentlemen had received inform.ation 
of the manner in which I had left the prison- 
ship, and had knowledge enough of my 
character to conjecture what my motives 
were for such a proceeding. They had 
likewise heard that I had been carried to 
Jamaica, and was performing garrison duty 
there. 

A subscription paper was carried round 
for the purpose of raising a sum of money, 
sufficient to purchase my discharge from the 
British. The names of the gentlemen, who 
evinced the kindness of their feelings towards 
me by the liberality of their benevolence, I 
shall ever remember with gratitude; and, 
as they continued to be customers to my 
master after my return, I am able, at this 
remote period, to pay this humble tribute to 
their memory. They are as follows : — 
Col. Joshua Davis, Dea. Caleb Davis, GeiL 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 



231 



Amasa Davis, Capt. Robert Davis, Ephraim 
May, Samuel May, Col. John May, Edward 
Tuckerman, Capt. Nathan Curtis, Wilham 
Allen of Dorchester, subscribed two guineas; 
Ebenezer Wales, Ebenezer Dorr, Joseph Dorr, 
and many others, whose names I do not 
remember. All of the above named gentle- 
men are numbered with the dead, and I 
trust are enjoying the high reward which is 
promised to those who practise deeds of love 
and benevolence on earth. 

The money, thus raised, was entrusted to 
the care of a gentleman named Perry, then 
living on Jamaica Plain in Roxbury, and 
who was about sailing to the island of 
Jamaica. 

My letter to my mother, from St. Domingo, 
arrived before Capt. Perry sailed on his 
voyage, and rendered unnecessary the execu- 
tion of this benevolent intention for my liber- 
ation. No act of kindness, which I have 
ever experienced, has impressed my mind 
with more heart-felt gratitude, than the 
generous act I have related ; and, whenever 
I have met the descendants of my benefac- 
tors, some of whom now reside in the south* 



232 REVOLUTIONARY ADVENTURES 

erly part of Boston, they have had my 
secret but sincere wishes for their prosperity 
and happiness. 

I returned to the service of Mr. Bosson,* 
and remained with him till I was twenty- 
one years of age, when I established myself 
in business in my native place, where I 
have remained to this day. I commenced 
business in the practice of the trade I had 
learned ; but, after a few years, I relinquished 
it, and opened a store for the sale of crockery, 
glass, and hard-ware, in which business I 
continued till the year 1837,f when, finding 
my infirmities, especially my deafness, in- 

* My share of prize-money was eighty dollars, all of which 
Mr. Bosson took. As I was his apprentice, and not free, he 
had a legal right to it ; but, as I remembered his agreement 
was to give me one half of the prize-money and wages I was 
to receive, and as he retained the whole, I thought I would 
make an offset by keeping about thirty dollars, my share of 
the proceeds of a prize, taken while I was on board of the 
Flora, and what wages I had not expended in France. This 
money I loaned to a friend, who never found it convenient to 
repay it. Such was the pecuniary result of my three years' 
suffering. In justice to the memory of Mr. Bosson, it is pro- 
per for me to state, that he said that the prize-money he 
received became of no value in his hands, as he took it in the 
paper currency of the times. 

tin the year 1831, I was appointed Post-Master, at Rox 
bury, which office, after four or five years, I resigned. 



OF EBENEZER FOX. 233 

creEsing, I thought it time to quit all active 
employment; and to ride at anchor the 
remainder of my days. 



NOTE BY THE PUBLISHER. 

The subject of the preceding pages died in Roxbury, the 
*4lh of December, 1843, in the full possession of his mental 
faculties to the last moment of his existence. The following 
obituary notice appeared in the Boston Mercantile Journal. 

"Died in Roxbury, on Wednesday, Ebenezer Fox, Esq., 80. 
Mr. Fox was actively engaged in the revolutionary conllict, 
and was probably the only survivor of the crew of the ship 
Protector at the time she had a tremendous action with the 
British ship Admiral Duff, which resulted in the blowing up 
of ^he latter Mr. Fox was an honest man, and much 
roBpected." 

20* 



APPENDIX. 



August 24, 1838, I visited my old shipmate,* Luther 
Little, Esq., at Marshfield, Mass. This gentleman, it 
will be recollected, was severely wounded in an action 
with the " Admiral Duff." We had not seen each other 
for fifty eight years ; and the feelings we experienced at 
meeting, after so long a separation, maybe better imag- 
ined than described. At the last time I had seen him, he 
was twenty-four years of age, and I was seventeen. 

What a change time has made in our appearance ! 1 
never before was so forcibly struck with the truth of the 
)bservation, that " time makes ravages."' 

I found the mental and bodily faculties of Mr. Little 
mcommonly perfect. 

He informed me, that, at the time of our capture, he 
vas placed as prize-master on board of the prize we had 
in tow ; in which he escaped, and arrived at Boston, and 
thus was so fortunate as to be saved from a long and 
painful captivity. He did not, after that event, enter iafo 
the naval service ; but continued his profession on the 
ocean, as commander of a merchant ship, till he was 
forty-one years of age, when he retired from his occupa- 
tion, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, on the 
farm where he was born, which was originally occupied 
by his great-grandfather, then by his grandfather, whom 
he distinctly remembers, afterwards by his father, and 
finally by himself. 

A singular instance of stability and attachment to 
place for the roving sons of New England. 

Mr. Little is remarkably active for a man of his years, 
his sight and hearing being very good, and, surrounded 
by agreeable and intelligent children, is in the enjoyment 
of every blessing necessary to make old age comfortable 
and happy. 

My visit was rendered as agreeable to me as the kind 
and hospitable treatment, prompted by a warm and gen- 
erous heart, could make it. 

*This gentleman died on the 11th of March, 1842, aged 
86 years. 



APPENDIX. 235 

From Mr. Little I received information, that his brother 
George, our first lieutenant, with Captain Williams and 
the other officers, were carried to England and confined 
in prison ; — that his brother, with some companions in 
suffering, bribed a sentry ; made their escape ; crossed 
the British channel in a small boat, and arrived in safety 
in France. 

Captain Williams remained a prisoner in England, till 
peace was made. 

Mr. Little had supposed, till this visit, that he was the 
only survivor of all whose who once composed the crew 
and officers of the ship Protector ; and we presume that 
none are now living, who ever fought on board of that 
ship, excepting ourselves. 

George Little, Esq., after rendering his country signal 
service in the performance of many daring achievements, 
commanded the frigate Boston, well known in our naval 
history, and died in Marshfield, in a good old age. 

On page 95, I have given from recollection a single 
verse of a song at the ratification of the Federal Consti- 
ution by the Massachusetts Convention, concerning Cap- 
ain John Foster Williams. I have since seen an old 
•ewspaper of the year 1788, m which the song is con- 
tained ; and, as it may gratify some young reader, here 
insert it entire. 

MASSACHUSETTS CONVENTION. 

Tune, ^^ Yankee Doodle J* 
The 'Vention did in Boston meet, 

But Stalehouse could not hold 'em ; 
So then they went to Fed-'ral-street, 
And there the truth was told 'em. 

Yankee doodle, keep it up ! 

Yankee doodle dandy j 
Mind the music and the step, 
And with the girls be handy. 

They ev'ry morning went to prayer, 
And then begun disputing, 



236 APPENDIX. 

Till opposition silenc'd were 
By arguments refuiing. 

Yankee dooale, <scc- 

Then 'squire Hancock, like a man 
Who dearly loves the nation, 

By a conciliatory plan 
Prevented much vexation. 

Yankee doodle, &c. 

He made a woundy fed'ral speech, 

With sense and elocution, 
And then the 'Vention did beseccM 

T' adopt the Constitution. 

Yankee doodle, &c. 

The question bemg outright put, 

Each voter independent, 
The Fed'ralists agreed t' adopt, 

And then propose amendment. 
Yankee doodle, 6cc. 

The other party, seeing then 
The people were against 'eni; 

Agreed, like honest faithful men. 
To mix in peace among 'em. 
Yankee doodle, Ace, 

The Boston folks are dejiced folks. 
And always full of " notions ;" 

The boys, the girls, their marms and dnoa 
Were fiU'd with joy's commotions. 
Yankee doodle, &c 

So straightway they procession made| 

Lord ! how natioji fine, sir ! 
For every man, of every trade, 

Went, with his tools, to dine, sir. 
Yankee doodle, &c. 

John Foster Williams, in a ship^ 
Joined with a social band, sir, 

And made the lasses dance and skip 
To see him sail on land, sir. 
Yankee doodle, <5cc. 



APPENDIX. 237 

O then a ivhappvig feast begun, 

And all hands went to eating, 
They drank their toasts, shook hands, and sung 

Huzza for 'Vention meeting. 
Yankee doodle, &cc. 

Now politicians of all kinds, 

Who are not yet decided, » 

May see how Yankees speak their minds, 
And yet are not divided. 

Yankee doodle, flee. 

Then from this sample let 'em cease 

Inflammatory writing, 
For Freedom, Happiness, and Peace, 

Are better far tkmi fighting. 
Yankee doodle, &c. 

So here I end my Fed'ral song, 

Composed of thirteen verses. 
May Agriculture flourish long. 

And Commerce fill our purses. 
Yankee doodle, &c. 



CUDJOE MEN. 

As some of my young readers may not understano 
what is meant by " Cudjoe Men" on page 179 of the 
preceding narrative, I may be excused for giving the 
following short account of them. 

The island of Jamaica was captured from the Span- 
iards in 1655, during the Protectorship of Oliver Crom- 
well, by an English armament under Admiral Penn and 
General Venaiiles. The Spanish inhabitants had in 
their possession on the island at that time about fifteen 
hundred enslaved Africans, most of whom, upon the 
surrender of their masters, retreated to the mountains, 
from whence they made frequent attacks on the British 
plantations, giving no quarter to the settlers, and carry- 
ing ofi" 'heir booty to the woods and fastnesses in the 
mountams. They were called Maroons ; the word ma* 
roon signifying, among the Spanish Americans, hog 
hunters j the woods at that lime abounding with the will 



238 APPENDIX. 

*)oar, and the pursuit of them constituting the principal 
employment of runaway or fugitive negroes. Blarrano 
is the Spanish woni for a i/ounn pig. 

This petty warfare contuiued from 1655 to 1738, fi 
period of eighty-three years. The IMaroons knew every 
secret avenue of the country, and stole into the distant 
or new setyements by night, killing the whites, setting 
fire 10 the cane-fields and houses, and carrying the slaves 
into captivity or forcing them to join in the war against 
their English masters. 

During this long period of hostility, the British gained 
many victories over the Maroons ; penetrated into the 
mountains ; and established forts near their secret haunts. 
They trained their own slaves to repel and fight them 
from garrisons and barracks on the mountains or m their 
neighborhood. Each barrack was furnished with a pack 
of dogs, trained and provided by the whites. These an- 
imals' were called Spanish dogs, or bloodhounds, and 
proved extremely serviceable to the English, not only 
in guarding against surprise in the night, but in tracking 
the enemy to his secret haunts in the mountains and 
caves. Notwithstanding all these means of annoyance, 
the I\Iaroons increased and became more formidable in 
1730, under an able black general, named Cud^oe, who 
gained great renown among them. 

In 1737, the British embarked from the Musquito 
shore two hundred of the Blusquito tribe of Indians, and 
landed them at Jamaica, to hunt down the Cudjoe men 
after their own mode of hostility, "bush-fighting," or 
ambuscade. 

In 1738, Governor Trelawney made overtures of peace 
to the IMaroons, who, worn down by famine, fatigue, and 
the assaults of their numerous foes, accepted the English 
proposals The articles of pacification commenced in 
the following words : — 

" In the name of God, amen. Whereas captain Cud- 
joe, captain Accompong, captain Johnny, captain Cuffee, 
captain Quaco, and several other negroes, their depend- 
ents and adherents, have been in a state of war against 
our sovereign lord the king," &c., &c. The treaty con- 
sisted of fifteen articles, in which fifteen hundred acres 
«f land were allowed to one body of the Maroons, wha 



APEENDIJ. 239 

settled at Trelawney ; and one thousand acres to another 
Dody of them, settled at Accompong, Cra^^ibrd town, and 
Nanny town. 

They spoke a sort of broken English and Spanish, 
were extremely ignorant and superstitious, and, like the 
negroes of Guinea, believed in the prevalence of Obi, a spe 
cies of pretended magic, and the supernatural power o. 
Obeah men. 

From their mode of life and constant exercise, they 
posse.ssed great bodily perfection, seldom beheld among 
any other class of African or native blacks. 

Such was the situation of the Cudjoe men in 1782, 
when I escaped from Jamaica. 

I may as well add what has since befallen them. 

An article in the treaty of pacification with Captain 
Cudjoe, in i"38, had made the Maroons amenable to the 
British lav? in cases of murder, theft, dec, committed 
against the buckras, or whites. In 1795, soon after the 
dreadful scenes in the island of St. Domingo, now called 
Hayti, two Maroons were tried for theft, convicted, and 
punished by being publicly whipped at Trela^vney town. 
This occasioned an insurrection, which threatened a rep- 
etition of the same scenes in Jamaica, which had taken 
place at St. Domingo. The English negro slaves, how- 
ever, hated the Cudjoe men or 3Iaroons too fervently 
even to join them in endeavoring to gain their own free 
dom. 

The Maroons in 1795 consisted of about 1600 men, 
women, and children ; but the insurrection was limited 
to the Trelawney 3Iaroons, the descendants of Cudjoe 
and the negroes under his command, who were particu- 
larly called Cudjoe men. 

The whole of the Accompong Maroons declared in fa- 
vor of the whites, or refused to fight the huctras. 

Fifty-eight years had elapsed since the pacification 
ttith Gen. Cudjoe; yet this long perio<i of peace had not 
enfeebled the Maroons, who resumed. the war with fresh 
vigor and cruelty. But the British established lines ex- 
tendmg twenty miles in length through glades and over 
heignvS, till the Cudjoe men were reduced to great straits, 
and pent up in their principal strong hold, called the 
Cockpits ; a sort of valley or dell, surrounded by steep 



240 APPENDIX. 

precipices and broken rocks, and by mountains of pr, 
digious height; in the caverns of which they had secre- 
ted their women and children, and deposited their ammu- 
nition. The Cockpits could be reached only by a path 
down a steep rock, one hundred and fifty feet almost in 
perpendicular height, and totally inaccessible to the 
whites ; but the Cudjoe men, having been habituated to 
employ their naked feet in climbing up trees and preci- 
pices, easily surmounted this obstacle. Their principal 
suffering was from want of water. This they supplied 
for some time in the leaves of the tillmidsia maxima, or 
wild pine. This is not a tree, but a plant, which takes 
root on the body of a tree, commonly in the fork or great 
branches of the cotton tree, and, from the conformation 
of its leaves, catches and retains water from every show- 
er. Each leaf resembles a spout, and has at its base a 
natural bucket or reservoir, which contains about a 
quart of water, — a wonderful provision of Divine Provi- 
dence. 

But even this resource was at length exhausted ; and, 
to add to the terror of the Maroons, forty chasseurs, or 
Spanish hunters, chiefly people of color, with about one 
hundred Spanish dogs or bloodhounds, arrived from Ha- 
vana. These dogs, though no larger than an English 
shepherd dog, were much dreaded by the Cudjoe men, 
the whole of whom surrendered to the British troops, in 
March, 1796, about one year after the commencement of 
this second and last war. The Spanish dogs, whose keen- 
ness of scent, and long training, had made them thus for- 
midable, were formerly used to get rid of the aboriginal 
Indians of Cuba, &c., who were cruelly hunted down and 
exterminated by the Spaniards. They are now general- 
ly employed in Cuba and South America in the pursuit 
of wild bullocks, which are killed for their hides, — the 
dogs driving the cattle from the heights and forests into 
the plains, where they are slaughtered by the chasseurs, 
or hunters. 

In June, 1796, ships having been provided for the oc 
casion, six hundred Maroons or Cudjoe men, the remnant 
of these restless and cut-throat blacks, were transported 
from Jamaica to Halifax, for settlement in Nova Scotia, 
New Brunswick, and Canada. 










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